quicksandyamurray

quicksandyamurray: I have been really busy and I am out of practice for writing. I missed everyone here. I missed writing and exchanging reviews and comments. I don't remember if I told everyone that my book ' Infinite Scribbles in the Sand' has been published and Becky at the Beach is being published now. The next big news is that the tremors and muscle stiffness has gotten worse and it is very difficult to do most anything now. Thee good news is I am slated for the DBS Surgery which should address those issues and dramatically improve them, or soi they say. We will see.

quicksandyamurray: I almost forgot to mention I have my first Author Event coming up this Thursday.I hope I won't be so nervous I blow it!

quicksandyamurray: I am not as prolific with my writing as I was, but the quality has gone up. I think that counts more than a slew of low grade work. I am slowing down to a slow crawl these days. old age and Parknson's are taking their portion of my health Apparently it slows down the mind too. I am still amazed at just how many bodily functions are affected by PD. I had been informed that a lot of protein in my diet was not a good thing, but only just found out why. Protein inhibits the bonding of the dopamine to the receptors making the meds null. I am taking each day as it comes, but I can't keep up with the house and my artwork and writing. So, my house is a disaster, I haven't done much serious artwork, but my writing is picking back up. Now I just have to keep up in reading and earning money for promoting my work. Thank God for a dishwasher, because we ran pout of paper plates. Lol.

quicksandyamurray: I think the committee needs to rethink the two post a day theory. It is no wonder people don't do the contests. I put up two pages a day when I am on, for a 17 page children's book. Then wanted to do a contest and was refused. Now I have to make a point to be around in 24 hrs. to enter a contest that isn't due right away. Couldn't they do two straight up posts and two contests a day? Maybe it would liven up the fields of contests.

quicksandyamurray: I found an interesting phenomenon today. I had posted a poem, "My Inner Child" and I found that the reviewers all gave the same rating, all enjoyed the read, but all had a very different concept of my inner child. It ranged from apparently okay to dead. I know that everyone has a different perspective on what is written, but somehow it struck me that they were reading it from there inner child's point of view. It will be interesting to see if this holds true through all reviews that may still be written.

quicksandyamurray: I would like to share the news that I am get together a fundraiser for Parkinson's disease research as a Team Fox Member. This is my first attempt at it. I shot for the stars and am afraid I may have reached too high. It is going to be in December and things aren't picking up. I had to book the venue a year ahead, but unlike a wedding or family event, I do not figure on paying for the place myself. I am on limited income, so it makes it difficult. Has anyone done anything like this? Any tips or tricks to a successful evening? I want to have door prizes, a raffle and a silent auction. I have it slated for a four hour evening with a sit down full course meal, unlimited wine at the tables, open bar, live music and speakers on Parkinson's. I haven't a car, so trapseing about town to visit businesses to get sponsors, or donations is haphazard at best. I have gone online and filled out for both types of request, but am not getting anywhere. I think the personal approach is what is necessary. There must be something I missed, because it should be triggering some response. I will donate some of the copies of my book and paintings for the door prizes, raffle and the auction. Other than that it's a really nice day and Good Morning to you.

quicksandyamurray: I am not sure how I feel about FS these days. On the one hand it helped me to write about things I would not have written about, and got tips from members that helped me to do it well. On the other hand I find it frustrating entering the contests. And the fact that you have to pay to promote your work. Money begets money, I forgot. Those with the gold reign the roost. He who has the Gold rules. Well, I don't have a lot of money, so, even if my work is good, I will drown in oblivion because my writings are not promoted. Between posting problems and no 'dough', I am discouraged. I am going to announce my book, but FS no longer has all the submissions I put in, so the actual book has three more stories than what you will see. Posting my children's book is a circus, go to fanartreview to see that on being that it is 75% pictures it translates better on FAR. Oh well, I am tired and I wanted to write in my book about PD, but that's not happening today. Hopefully tomorrow is a better day with a better outlook.

quicksandyamurray: I have a daughter who has written a script of which got a thumbs up from several presdigeous firms (ABC, CBS and I don't know who else, but they will not take the script until she has an agent. She has tried numerous, b agencies, but no one will take her on. She did not tell me the subject of the script, nor who she approached, but what would be some suggestions to get one? My thought ids that perhaps the subject is too controversial. However, I told her I would try to find out what can and let her know. quicksandyamurray

quicksandyamurray: Well, The book is published, but it isn't complete on here. A small glitch I am sure. I need to push the publicity, Problem: not enough time in a day, week, month, year, to accomplish all that is on my plate at this point. Solution: one day at a time, Piece by piece, Announce it everywhere. Now to send out the press releases,

quicksandyamurray: Thank you to everyone who has viewed and wrote reviews on my work. It has gotten me to this point and I am grateful for all the encouragement and advice. This is a treasure chest of support.

quicksandyamurray: Well, I did it! My first book is published and the first few are on their way. I originally started with it as Through the Portals of SAMs Versatile Arts, but later changed it to Infinite Scribbles in the Sand.
It is poetry and short stories. It should be in distribution shortly. Ingram is the distributor for my publisher, Outskirtspress.com. I need to get set up straight in my portfolio. I am excited though. I already had 2 bookstores lined up for them.

quicksandyamurray: The process is progressing slowly, but progressing non-the-less. We are finishing the setup for print, and have chosen the cover.My first book is soon to be a reality! I can attribute my success in part to FanStory in helping me to reach out my writing abilities to write about things I never would have come up with. It is also in part due to those who reviewed my work and took an interest in me and my writing. I don't think I would have gone as far on my wom

quicksandyamurray: I am still in! I am almost ready to publish. Thought I was ready, printed it out and read it like it was set up and regrouped. There is so much more to put in. I do have a question. If I write my biography and it includes my immediate family, do I need permission from each to use their names? also if I write it without any names attached do you think people will reject the book?

quicksandyamurray: I am not standing.I am sitting at my computer assessing the damages to this entity known as Sandra Murray. I am embarking on the publishing of my book and completion of my own story. When the set of books is finished we all will know who this person was and now is.For me this will take most of my time and concentration, so I apologize for not reviewing others works as I had wanted to. I can write the books, but now the reading puts me to sleep by the first paragraph. I don't know why that is. I was an avid reader who devoured books as fast as I could speed read. Now I guess my tank is full and I need to use it before it becomes tainted by time, moisture, or road dirt. The time is passing quickly and the time is now for this task. I have much to be thankful for and many tales to tell. Most of all I hope to help others who find themselves in a position where they have more questions than answers and can't seem to find them. This is my home now. Here I can speak my mind and interact on an equal basis. Now if you don't mind, I am ready to embark on my oddessey. Come join me through the pages of my life. When I am done I will be reading all of yours that I can fit in to this small package which seems to be very expandable. :)

quicksandyamurray: I am here of my own choosing and it is one of my better choices. I have found that I had lost much of myself, especially the better parts of me, when I allowed someone to dictate who and what I should be. I came here on a quest for my own identity and am rediscovering who I was. I am also uncovering the parts of me hidden from me from youth. You and I together will discover the real me. "Will the real Sandy Murray please stand up!"

quicksandyamurray: I was reviewing my reviews received and ran across the ones for other FS freinds as super heroes, and took a peek at my submission . I hadn't thought about it right after the contest, but these are who my ha rafters were. Britt Mysteriouso is Christopher Abbott, being he is from Bitain and writes mysteries. Resipsed Par is Despiser; Par because he raps. Flame Flyer is Spitfire great fun to write though no win.

quicksandyamurray: It seems like an eternity since I was on here last. I have been so busy I didn't evenget to my computer, let alone go on fanstory. I am glad to be back.

quicksandyamurray: I am amazed at how few people vote in the contests. I know I didn't always checkin on them, but I've been trying to get in votes for as many as possible. For the amount of writers on this site the ratio is practically nil. I know that for me it would be more encouraging to enter if there were more possibilities of getting some kind of votes and reviews.If I wanted to write just for myself, I would just get out a notebook and pen. a contest may have 16 entrants and 20 voters. If all the entrants vote, then only 4 others bothered to check it out and vote. That's sad. What do the rest of you think on this subject?

quicksandyamurray: Yeay!!!!!!!!!!!!! I won a contest! This is my second win! Believe it or not I wrote it and edited it down to the required 200 words in 45 minutes. During those 45 minutes I cooked and eat with my husband and comprised the picture to go with it. Amazing what can happen when under the gun so to speak. That seems to be when I do my best work. When I fuss over it and keep changing the content, I flop. Shooting from the hip from now on!

quicksandyamurray: Well, I'm not driving anymore. I had an accident, and decided that it was time to stop and to find alternate means of transportation. It has to do with the Parkinson's. I have already used the shoe-leather express a few times. I am very fortunate that I am still able to do this. I hope all your days of the new year are successful and satisfying. God bless you and your families as we start out this new adventure called 2013.

quicksandyamurray: It's gotten really busy for me right now with Christmas activities and birthdays, so writings will be sporadic. Hopefully right after the Holidays I will be able to write prolifically.

quicksandyamurray: The car issue is finally settled, emmissions is passed and the renewal is set. Now I know I will have a car to get to the Parkinsons Symposium the first week in November, in Sturbridge. You can read on this at www.apdama.org that has all the events and places to get information on PD.

quicksandyamurray: Thank you all for your words of support and insight. I have been having negative responses everywhere and my car has been out of commission for over a month. It has left me stranded and stir crazy with the beginnings of a mountain of errands that aren't getting done. Makes for a crabby person, and being a writer I write it like I see it. It was getting dark as far as I could see at that time. So, I wrote dark. It was quite a surprise to see so many responses.

quicksandyamurray: Well, for the first tuime, I feel discouraged. I don't think I've got what it takes. I know that I have a long way to go in order to do everything correctly, but I think it way too far. I simply am coming to a point where it is no longer fun to write. I don't mean that in a ha ha kids good time sort of way, but when it becomes a job and not enjoyable to tell a story or make a silly rhyme then what is the point. I have spread myself too thin I think and now I will cut it back. There are certainly enough good writers on this site, you don't need to be wasting your time reading my hogwash.

quicksandyamurray: I just voted on a contest and it struck me how many different points of view come in to focus when it comes to personal preference and casting votes. There is no real right or wrong in writing it is dependent on your audiences preference as to whether you sink or swim. It is all in the eye of the beholder, and if that beholder was the spider in the poems with all those eyes would the it see more, or would each eye see a different poem as best? Lol.

quicksandyamurray: HA HA HA! Parkinson's Disease. Sorry. I'm so used to shorthanding it I forgot not everyone knows what that stands for.

quicksandyamurray: I have a rough opening for the book on PD. And I do mean rough.

quicksandyamurray: Although it is fun and I am experiencing a satisfying degree of success in my writing endevour, it is energy draining. I am finding it difficult to keep up with the writing as well as reading and reviewing in volume enough to promote my own work at all. It makes it a little frustrating. I have decided after spending the last couple days and the entire night trying to earn enough to bring my book into the light, that I will let things take their own course. I have a lot on my plate at this point in my life and the medications and handicap along with limited income are winning out. I'm not giving up, but I'm not going to sacrifice my health in the quest for recognition. If my work is good enough, it will get read and recognized. I won't stop reading others work, because I love reading them. It's just not that important to earn credits for doing it. So much for my gripe for the day. I now have to go to counseling, and then help my church move. Then maybe squeeze in some sleep. Have a good day and God bless.

quicksandyamurray: Well, I'm back. I haves a lot of painting under my belt, but not so much writing. I think the way to go is to write a collection of short stories of my life up until the onset of PD. Then write the story of my way of dealing with this disease. and the reactions and actions that those around me took. The short stories will help to prime the pump so to speak, and give me plenty of practice before the grand finale. I may not write them in chronological order. I think it is best to write about what wants to compile itself at the time. I don't have as good an outcome with those I try to make happen. I do better with those stories that just "write themselves". They just kind-of fall together. That's my style and I'm stickin' to it. Lol ( a little SNL knockoff). I've started with my first freshwater bass story. When I publish the book I will put them in order.

quicksandyamurray: Hello everyone, I haven't been on in about a week and it seems like an eternity. I am also an artist who loves to do canvas paintings and I have been busy honing those skills also. I am doing portraits and some paintings to sell. I am going to post them on Etsy.com in my shop. If you would like the address, drop me a note. Next thing for here is to write about Parkinsons, my personal experiences. (and earn some money selling paintings so I can promote my writing here.)

quicksandyamurray: I am finding that coming in around the biggest Holidays is a handicap for time to devote to reading and earning enough to promote my own writings. another note is I have PD and sometimes it is really difficult to get all the typing errors. I should probably write a story about how tremors impact your every day life.