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Wednesday, June 7, 2017

How To Sell Time (IWSG & an Announcement!)

If only you had a corner on that market, eh?

The IWSG question this month is a timely one (pun intended):

Did you ever say “I quit”? If so, what happened to make you come back to writing?

When I was in high school, I backed away from writing for a time. It was a wise decision as it made room for social aspects I would have otherwise missed--including meeting my husband. It wasn't an "I quit" per se, but I never expected to seriously return to writing.

Five years later, when I was married, a college student, and needing some sanity, I pulled out my old notebooks and FINALLY finished my first novel. All 140,000 words of it. (For non writerly types, that's about twice as long as your average book.) Next thing I knew, I'd written a novella that eventually became MOONLESS, then a musical with a full orchestral score, then six other books...

It was the right time for writing.

But, as is inevitable, I've cycled into a new season. All my writerly loves are sitting in their file folders, begging for my attention...and not getting it. There will come a time again when I write as prolifically as before, but right now, I'm consumed with 5 major projects: one in his sophomore year of college at age 16, two of them in 5th and 7th grade home school, one in home preschool, and the last one...

For those of you who may not have seen the announcement:

She even smiled for the picture!!!
The time for writing will come again. For now, I'm a full-time teacher, part time blogger, part time taxi, house keeper, and periodic book reviewer. That'll do, eh?

HUGE thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh
and his cohosts, JH Moncrieff, Madeline Mora-Summonte, 
Jen Chandler, Megan Morgan, and Heather Gardner!


Three weeks ago, Krystal Jane Ruin shared NO REST FOR THE WICKED along with two truths and one lie. Anyone who guessed was entered to win an AWESOME prize pack.

The game:

1. I once got lost in England, alone, at night, by myself. I was coming back from seeing Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Opera House in London and went out a different exit than planned. I found by way back by following signs for the British Museum as my hotel was off an adjoining street. I only ran into three weirdos.

2. I once got lost in Spain coming back from Castle Alcazar in Segovia. I wandered around the mountains for a couple of hours looking at the pretty scenery before growing tired and taking a trolley to the cemetery across from the hotel, which was the closest he could get me on his route. 

3. I once got lost in Switzerland. I got distracted by the pretty buildings on the way to see the famous Lion Monument in Lucerne. I lost my tour group, and was found by the trip director on my way back to the prison hotel who took me on a walking tour of the city while he ran some errands.

The lie: #2. 

From Krystal: I've never been to Spain, but this exact thing happened to me in Edinburgh. I got turned around after exploring Edinburgh Castle, and the cemetery was across from the dorms we were staying in, not a hotel. I get lost a lot.

And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Congrats, Suzanne!

And now, about selling time:



With subtle wit, and poignant imagery, the unrelenting passage of time connects the vignettes in Theresa Milstein's Time and Circumstance. This reflective collection of real and imagined poetry and prose, speculates on an erratic childhood, the uncertainty of adolescence, and the reality of parenthood, through flashbacks of love lost and found.


"This everyday, why again, sometimes
ignored tune has measured time in notes, 
seconds, minutes, days, years, and so it goes. 
It's a measure of the man he will become."

Buy your copy on Amazon.

Ready to meet the author?

Theresa Milstein writes middle grade and YA, but poetry is her secret passion. Vine Leaves Press published her vignette collection, TIME & CIRCUMSTANCE on March 21, 2017. She lives near Boston Massachusetts with her husband, two children, a dog-like cat, and a cat-like dog. For her day job, she works as a special education teacher in a public school, which gives her ample opportunity to observe teens and tweens in their natural habitat.

For Theresa, picking a favorite cheese is like choosing a favorite child ... almost. You might stumble across her eating a soft blue cheese or a gouda with a little crunch, some fresh bread, olives, and wine while hanging out with friends or family who are visiting her home.

Theresa gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. If you guess the lie, right or wrong, you will be entered to win an ebook of TIME AND CIRCUMSTANCE, and if you guess correctly, you will win a SIGNED HARDCOPY! (Open internationally.IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BLOGGER ACCOUNT WITH AN EMAIL ON THE PROFILE, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS OR EMAIL IT TO crystal@crystal-collier.com WITH YOUR SCREEN ALIAS.

You have until Tuesday, June 20th at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on June 21, 8 a.m. EDT.
TRUTH OR LIE

1. Right after college, I landed a job as a make a makeup artist at Macy's, Herald Square, New York City. This led to a year doing makeup for a few shows on The Food Network. 

2. During the summer, I worked as a carney in the game booths on Long Island. I hated working the fixed games, though I hated running the sticky cotton candy booth even more.

3. One semester, I interned with a U.S. Congressman in New York, which meant handling a lot of angry phone calls, looking up data, tracking potholes, and attending events.

So sleuths, which is the lie? What would you do with a spare bottle of time? Have you met Theresa? Do you read poetry? Have you ever quit something you LOVE?

147 comments:

  1. Yes, your writing time will be limited for a while, but don't give up the joy of time with your kids and baby to come for anything.
    Tough ones, Theresa. I'll guess the first one.

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  2. To everything there is a season. There have been times when I haven't written as much. There was one time when I thought I couldn't do it. Then I decided I would do it anyway.

    I have no idea which one is the lie, I want them all to be true.

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    Replies
    1. Way to go, you! Life is all about pushing through, no matter what, eh?

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  3. How wonderful! I don't know how you've managed to write anything at all.

    #3 is the lie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right?! A little at a time. You'd be shocked at how many words you can get down when the only time you get is the kid's one hour nap.

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  4. Congratulations Crystal! That is absolutely fabulous. There comes a time when we have to be our writing on the back burner and that is okay. Caring for people is so much more important. Your writing will wait on you. It will never go away.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Patricia
    Everything Must Change

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    Replies
    1. Too true, as several past seasons have proven. Here's to putting priority where it belongs, eh?

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  5. Family definitely needs to come first. I'm amazed how you manage to do all that you do, especially with another little one on the way.

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    Replies
    1. LOL. Believe me, I'm not doing much these days--from an outward vantage.

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  6. I am guessing the 3rd one is the lie and I am so happy for you! Our "heart protects" are our best and most important ones.

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    Replies
    1. Too true--and the best excuse for not meeting our goals, eh?

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  7. You're a busy lady, something has to give!

    Tough on the lies... I'll go for #1

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    Replies
    1. LOL. In a few years when kids start moving out, maybe. For now? Survival.

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  8. I think I already said congrats on FB about your wonderful baby news but I will say it again anyway. There can never be too many congrats and best wishes. So happy for you and your family. :)
    I will guess #3 is the lie for Theresa. I really hope #2 is true because it's such a fun story!

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    Replies
    1. I'll take all the congrats I can get. Thank you!

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  9. Goodness me, you are a busy, busy woman! Congratulations to you!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kyra. I like to think it's the most important work I'm doing. =)

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  10. Congratulations to you and to your family!

    What ever it is you're doing, Crystal, it's totally working for you, for your writing, for your life. So happy for you! :)

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  11. You are so busy, yet you somehow manage to do it all.
    The motto is family first.
    I have read Time & Circumstance - it's a fab collection!
    Congrats on everything!

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    Replies
    1. LOL! So before you make a statement like that, you need to come take a look at my house and yard. Well, there are a few clean dishes in the cupboard and the kids never run out of clothes to wear, so I must be doing something. =)

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  12. It's a girl! Congratulations, Crystal. You are one busy woman. I admire you. You do it all, and it sounds like you're still doing it with a smile. You rock.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Murees. Trying to keep the smile. It usually slips by the end of the day, but that's why we get to start each day fresh, eh?

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  13. Congratulations, Crystal! A lovely, inspiring post. Thank you for sharing.

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  14. Congratulations on #5! 16 and a sophomore in college? Wow. I guess the genes don't fall far from the tree. It's perfectly understandable why you'd be taking a break.

    I think #3 is the lie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He gets the genius gene from his dad. Seriously. Lucky kid.

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  15. How you even find time to sleep amazes me! :) Time for writing will return. My guess for the lie is #2.

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    Replies
    1. LOL. Sleep? What's that? I think there comes a point in every person's life where we learn how to survive without that.

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  16. We all need breaks now and then. I'm glad you found your way back though. :-)

    http://doreenmcgettigan.com/2017/06/its-time-iwsg-philadelphia-style/

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    1. Which lends confidence that it will happen again. =)

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  17. Yeah, I'd say you have plenty on your plate right now! :)

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    1. And then some. Here's to slowing down when needed, eh?

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  18. Oh my goodness, Crystal - you are Superwoman! I had just two young 'uns in grade school when I started writing and now they're both in college and I STILL feel pulled in too many directions.
    I'm a firm believer in breaks from writing - you know you'll roll back to it when the season is right.

    I hope you're feeling well during this pregnancy. Thanks for sharing the picture of your little miracle. <3

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Nicki. Feeling as well as possible, and taking it easy the rest of the time.

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  19. Am I mixing people up but didn't you just have a baby not that long ago? I know a few bloggers I talk to have had babies and I don't know if I'm mixing people up! LOL

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    Replies
    1. You're not mixing people up. She's two now. How crazy is that? TWO. Time moves faster than we want it to.

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  20. You definitely have a lot of projects in the works and they are big, important projects. :) May all of your days and your work be blessed, Crystal!

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  21. Congrats on #5, and I hope you have an easy pregnancy and birth! You've almost caught up to my brother and his 6. :)

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    1. Yeah, that's not going to happen. LOL. My brother has 6 as well, and if there wasn't such a large gap between kids, I promise I wouldn't be able to do 5. Thanks!

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  22. There's a right time for everything, it seems. And CONGRATULATIONS on the new baby!

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  23. Your plate is super full, Crystal! I think Theresa's lie is #1.

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    Replies
    1. Well if we're talking about a meal analogy, that's a pretty great thing, eh?

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  24. Crystal, wow, way to multitask! I don't know how you maintain the energy.
    Krystal was sneaky switching the countries there.
    Thanks for hosting me! I see some people are making guesses on my lie. :)

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  25. It sounds to me as if you've got more than a plateful in your life. It's more like a banquet! Congrats on your new September gift.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! It's definitely an adventure, and a fabulous one at that.

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  26. I raised 5 children, and totally understand about multi-tasking. Not to take anything away from the father, but I was a stay at home mom, and it was harder than going to work. I'm so glad you've found the time to write those awesome books.

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    Replies
    1. Well not all of them are awesome...yet...and there are a few more in the collection, but one day... :)

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  27. How exciting, another babe on the way :) Can't imagine you dropping out of writing, just a slowdown. Your track record proves that!
    Christine's lie is #2.

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  28. Congrats, Crystal!!! Another baby:)) Sometimes you just have to put writing aside for a time. As far as the lie, they all seems plausible. But i'm guessing #2

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  29. Goodness. It is a good thing you backed off writing for that time to meet your husband. I didn't. I wrote. I missed out in high school. Oh well.

    Congratulations!!!

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  30. How exciting, another babe on the way :) Can't imagine you dropping out of writing, just a slowdown. Your track record proves that!
    Christine's lie is #2.

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  31. Seems like you have a pretty full plate at the moment. Writing will definitely keep. (And I think I have already said this, but in the event that I haven't...Congratulations!!)

    I'm guessing that #2 is the lie.

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  32. Life seems pretty busy and will probably get even busier when another 'little one' arrives. Enjoy every minute, being a mum is the best, they grow up so quickly! Congratulations.
    I won? Wow, how cool, thank you :)

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  33. Hi Crystal
    So many good questions. I'll guess #1. is the lie. Not knowing this person is a huge disadvantage. Time...scientist are experimenting with the aging process by injecting mice with stem cells. The stem cells come from living healthy mice. The injected mice are growing younger and damaged organs are healing themselves. A bottle of time looks to be in our future.

    I had a very negative art teacher in college. He stole my passion and I never got it back.
    Nancy

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  34. You are busy. I tell people I'm a full time mom and part time everything else. Our oldest just graduated college and is moving into the world of adulthood.

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  35. Congrats on the baby girl! I have to say, it's refreshing to hear you say you have put writing aside for the moment only because you'd have to be super human to do all of what you do AND write new books! I have oodles upon oodles of respect for working mothers who write and publish. It's one of the drivers for me for not quitting. I don't have kids and want to make sure my time is being used as wisely as those I know who have no other choice but write at early or very late hours or in between feedings/school/sports practice.
    HATS OFF TO YOU.

    Also glad to see Theresa Milstein's name. I remember her from my older Blogger blogging days. Yay! I will catch up!

    Here's my IWSG post for June: How to Survive the 'Little Quits.'

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  36. A GIRL!!! Congratulations. (Didn't you kinda "know" before the doctor did that test? They didn't DO those tests when I was pregnant, but all three times, I just knew...) And yes, you are more than busy enough right now without worrying about writing. Its time will come again. For now, it can wait on the back burner. You have way too many other pots on the stove that need your attention.

    I've already read Teresa's book, and I thoroughly enjoyed, so there's no need to throw my name into the hat... on the rare possibility that I finger the lie for a change. I'll guess number 2 is the fib.

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  37. Ah yes, getting your kids through school without tearing your hair out. I swear I'll be more relieved when the school year is over than my kids will. Congrats on the newest member of the family.

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  38. I had no idea you wrote a musical, Crystal! How cool!

    What would I do with a bottle of time? All the stuff I have no time for, like cleaning the house!

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  39. Well, it just means that when you get back to writing, you'll have a bunch of new ideas. Krystal's lie was funny. As for this one...I'm going to guess number 2 is the lie.

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  40. I didn't write much in college. I tried but there was so much to do! I did spend 2015 just brainstorming. I didn't do it on purpose, but as a result, my backlog for workable ideas is ridiculous. I can't purposely step back for more than a week. I have to write to stay some semblance of sane.

    I love poetry books! ^_^ Going for #1 as the lie.

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  41. It's not quitting if you know you'll go back to it. Pause. Yeah, it's a pause.

    I'll guess the lie is #1.

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  42. I'll guess # 3 is the lie.

    You've a lot on your plate. There's no shame in putting other things on the back burner. These are precious years, enjoy them. With working full time, I've had to put writing on the back burner more than once over the past year +

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  43. I have met Theresa (via the blog world) and she's a great writer. Nice of you to feature her here. Wishing her well!

    Congratulations on the new sweet little one. Sera and she will be best friends, I'm sure! :)

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  44. Congratulations! Family first is a great motto and the happiest way to live. I wish you all the success in the world in that endeavor.

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  45. That's so lovely ... many congratulations.

    All the best Jan

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  46. Oh my gosh, Crystal, you seriously need a clone:)
    And might I add you don't look old enough to have a sixteen year old. Is your sixteen year old in Early College?
    That precious baby.

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  47. I'd say 1 is the lie. And I think you have plenty going on, Crystal. I'm sure the stories will find a way to percolate while you're doing other things, and when it's the right time you'll get back to it For now, all those projects are certainly worthwhile. ;)

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  48. I think number 3 is the lie.

    Congrats on the baby! That's so wonderful. And it sounds like your other babies are doing great things--college sophomore work at 16 is something to be proud of for sure.

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  49. You have a heap going on. More than I could cope with. I suspect I would be velcroing myself to the carpet under the bed and refusing to come out. Writing will come again.
    I hope that no 2 is the lie. I could so see it.

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  50. That's a super picture of your soon to be baby! I love it! Congrats!

    I sometimes consider myself a writer, but most the time a teacher, mom, and illustrator. I keep a blog almost daily, so maybe that makes me a writer as well.

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  51. I don't know how you do it, Crystal! You are amazing! Love the "portrait" of the new family member arriving in September. After a lot of living, I have learned that there are seasons in life and that its important to enjoy each one and forget the frustrations that come with it. I'm guessing that #3 is a lie, but I wish all three were true!

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  52. That's great how much you wrote at such a young age. I've also struggled with having a family and writing. I've always felt it was important to put family first. Congrats!

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  53. You have such a lovely family, Crystal, and the picture of your new baby is precious. September will soon be here. It's amazing what they can do these days. Back in my time, we had no idea whether the baby was a girl or boy until he/she was born.
    Congratulations to Theresa on her new book.

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  54. That is a wonderful story with the books to show for it. Congrats on the new baby if I have not said before.
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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  55. You are way too busy with that many kids. I couldn't write when I had 2 kids at home, much less 5.

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  56. Confession: I was about halfway through your post when I noticed the sonogram picture and I stopped reading altogether and went immediately to the comment section. Congratulations!!! Yay!!! A little girl!!! I'm so excited for you!! :)

    Elsie

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  57. Gosh, Crystal. You're a full-time mom of 4+ kids. I'm surprised you find time for blogging, much less serious writing. I think, all your creativity is now consumed by your children. When they grow up and don't need you too much, then expect a burst of new writing, not before. I only started writing when my children were in high school.

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  58. You've definitely got your hands full! I'm sure the writing will still be there waiting when you're ready for it (and have the time!). I think we take breaks a lot but most of us can never actually quit.

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  59. Hi Crystal,

    CONGRATS on baby 5! WOW... How exciting! I commend you on your decision. Children need so much attention and guidance. Plus one just may be like mom with a yearning and TALENT to write. How fun would that be for you?!

    Thanks for you comment at my blog. I really appreciated it. ALL THE BEST!

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  60. 140,000 words...wow:) It must have been therapeutic too:) And congrats again on the new little one on the way:)

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  61. You certainly have a few good excuses for taking a break from writing. COngratulations on Collier #5. Exciting times ahead for you!

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  62. No idea which is the lie, but I want #2 to be the truth. No idea why. lol.

    Those 5 projects of yours are five treasures and well worth putting writing aside for a little while.

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  63. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    Family always comes first; plus, you've already done and do so much. I don't think writing will ever leave you, even if you do have to put it aside for a while.
    I think #1 is the lie... maybe :/

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  64. Congratulations on baby 5! I never 'quit' either, but I did have a lot of relaxed writing years while my kids were young. Now they're older and busy and I have some of my free time back. Still, there never seems to be enough time.

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  65. I hope you get back to your writing time, but I know it's tough to get time to yourself when you're raising a family. Very important stuff right there!

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  66. Can you imagine to fortune you could make if you could bottle time. I wish! Taking time away to live life can be a good thing. You certainly do have your hands full. Congrats on Baby Collier!!

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  67. With a bottle of time, I'd write, write, write. My worry is that I won't have enough time to publish more books.

    And WOW! I had no idea how phenomenal (a musical score added to the mix) you are and how many "projects" you've been loving. I'm smiling for you.

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  68. Sounds like you have a full plate right now. Sometimes writing just has to move to the back burner.

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  69. Sounds like you have more than enough to keep you busy, Crystal. That sounds a bit like me and painting - it stopped for a few years while the family was young, eventually to be superseded by writing ...

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  70. Congrats on baby #5! I stopped at 1, I didn't like being pregnant one bit. lol Here's hoping for an easy pregnancy.

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  71. You're doing great. I hope the pregnancy is going well. More heartbeats to take care of and give you inspiration.

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  72. You're one of those crazy young mom writers I so applaud. Like you, I have my writerly loves are sitting in their file folders, begging for my attention...and not getting it, but somehow I think yours will get it first. Go girl...

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  73. In a weird way, I envy you for being able to step away from writing. When I was on my quasi-break, I felt bad that I wasn't writing, even though I'd accepted that I might not be. >_< But you've got plenty of good reasons to set it aside for now, and I hope that when you pick it up again, you find that the time off served you well and you know just how the stories are supposed to go. ^_^

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  74. That's certainly a LOT to take on! You must have mom awards. WTG.

    I'll guess 2 as the lie.

    I loved Moonless, so I hope you'll get to come back to writing more wonderful books.

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  75. You are super amazing. As a mother of six, I have to say that big families are wonderful. Good on you.

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  76. You've written enough for a lifetime already! Take your well-deserved writing break (not that it's a true break given the other "projects" in your life) and enjoy your family. When the time is right again, you'll gravitate back, the page will be ready and waiting. :)

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  77. With a spare bottle of time? I'd travel and read...a break from writing is when the ideas for the next writing project simmer.

    Congrats on baby #5! Wish you all a blissful time.

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  78. Enjoy the time with your loved-ones - it goes by so fast (and it's not like we can really buy time). Your writing will let you know when it needs you again :-)

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  79. OMG, you are BUSY! I don't know how you do any of it all at once like that. It's not fun when you have to put your writing on the back burner like that, but you have the best reasons in the world for doing it. It'll still be there when you get more free time (in about 10 years from now, lol).

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  80. Hi Crystal ... three months now til littlie pops out! Wonderful family life ... and time - well time rusheth by... but equally time to jot notes down, make sure things are recorded as life toddles by - then you'll have those jottings ready for lots of new books and enterprises ...

    Yay for baby pinks ... and as for Theresa - I'd say #2 ... both of you are excellent authors ... enjoy these happy times - cheers Hilary

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  81. Gosh, what a lot of comments! Sometimes it is not he right time to write. I think you know that. No need to beat yourself up for it!

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  82. Oh, I hadn't realised you were home schooling. Goodness, you must be busy! Congratulations again on baby to be :-)

    This is a toughie... I'm going to say that #2 is a lie. Congratulations on your release, Theresa!

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  83. oooh, a musical! Please, don't give it to Rob Marshall to direct it, I hear Buzz Luhrmann is free!

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  84. The time for writing will always come. Congratulations to you and warm greetings!

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  85. I think #2 is a lie, but honestly I never get these right. As for the IWSG, I've thought about quitting writing, but never done it.

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  86. Congrats on baby #5!! (Just had a flashback to those times in the deep hours of the night when it feels like you & the baby are the only ones awake in the world).
    All the best :)

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  87. I think taking a temporary break from writing is probably better than forcing ourselves to keep gouing when we don't have the time/energy/motivation and end up with other areas opf our lives suffering and eventually quitting for good.

    I'm guessing No 1 is a lie.

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  88. Congratulations, Crystal!!! Home schooling is no joke; well done with that. All the kids I have met who were home schooled seemed to be so wise, polite and mature. I am in awe that you have gotten so much writing done while raising four kids. Enjoy #5 as much!

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  89. Congrats Crystal! Being a new mom this year has brought me great joy and will bring you the same. God willing.

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  90. Congrats, Crystal, on the new addition to your family. Wow, when do you have time to write with all you have going on in your life? Try to enjoy each journey you're on--mom, mother-to-be, teacher, etc. Too soon the kids will be grown and gone, and you'll wish you still had the close. That's when you'll have all the time in the world to write.

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  91. I think you should write when the muse takes you and if it's ingrained within you can bet your life it will come bursting out. Sometimes we need a hiatus to grow in other areas.

    Congratulations on #5. You are superwoman.

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  92. We all have times when we have to step back for awhile. But the nice thing is that those idea files aren't going anywhere. You are jugging a lot--but the time is fleeting with kids, and you must make the most of it.
    Congratulations again on baby #5!

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  93. Congratulations on baby number 5! Don't know how you do it… I've quit several things I loved in my lifetime. Ballet, because I had no talent, competitive swimming because I knew I was too short to be the winner I wanted to be, and several other things. I think they were all good choices because they've given me the time to discover what I really love is writing.

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  94. Live long and prosper with family, friends and people first and everything else slots into place afterwards. No 2 sounds like the one.

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  95. Congratulations! It sounds like you're taking a pause. Everyone needs a pause now and again. Enjoy!

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  96. You've got a busy world! It's impossible to do it all and you'll get back to it when the time is right!

    I've already got my copy of Theresa's book, so I won't enter (But I'm guessing #1 :))

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  97. Congrats on your pending arrival :) Sounds like you've got more than enough to occupy you at the moment. That will just mean that when you do get time to write again, you'll have a whole lot of inspiration stored up ready to be unleashed! :)

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  98. Mothers always need extra time!

    I'll say #1 is the lie.

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  99. To see the healthy growth of fetus by ultrasound image is one of the joyous moments. Happy for you that you’re having a baby girl. Family is the priority. Your writing ideas can wait in the files and during your break (from writing), more good ideas could be weaved into the old ideas. Take good care of yourself.

    Yoko

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  100. Congratulations on the baby!

    Theresa is an amazing writer, but I don't think she has every worked at a carnival...but I could be wrong.

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  101. Congratulations on your baby girl and good luck with the balancing of the kiddos and things. How exciting! Writing will be there and who knows what stories your new baby will inspire. xoxo

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  102. Congrats Crystal on your bountiful life and the new bundle of joy coming your way. Writing can take a pause for new life. Which is probably why I aint got no kids. :p
    Congrats to Theresa too.

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  103. Beyond impressed with everything you manage to juggle day-to-day. Not surprised at all that writing needs to take a backseat for a bit, as a result!

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  104. Hello Crystal, Congratulations- how exciting! Your life is so busy at the moment, embrace and enjoy. I think #2 is the lie.

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  105. Congrats again on the new baby! Understandable that you'd need to take time off from writing. My cohort is about to have his first, and I don't think he's written anything in months. I can't blame him. Real life comes first. After that's all settled, then we can have the luxury of writing.

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  106. Pretty cool that you started writing so young. There's a time for everything and not surprised you're taking a bit of a break, although it won't go away! I'll guess #2 for the lie, although I've already won a copy of Theresa's book so don't enter me.

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  107. I love the picture!! So cute!!! Big Hugs!

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  108. You are definitely busy with all your jobs! :) You must be excited about baby #5.

    So awesome to see Theresa here. I think the lie is #2. :)
    ~Jess

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  109. Good luck with everything on your plate! Writing needs to take a backseat at certain points, until there's more regular free time to write at the old, accustomed pace.

    I'll guess the lie is #1. I've really been enjoying novels in verse, though I prefer freeverse poetry to the old "It has to rhyme no matter what" style I used to think was mandatory.

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  110. Wow! I had no idea that you had written a musical with a full orchestral score! That had to have been pretty intense…

    I imagine the time you are spending living life and teaching your children will only improve your future writing down the line. I definitely agree that the children should come first. :)

    On my blog I nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award. I'd love for you to join in if you can, but totally understand that you lead a particularly busy life and may not have time. Your friendship is appreciated either way. :) Hope you are having a good week!

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  111. Writing will definitely come back in time. Children only stay little for so long.

    Congrats to Theresa! I'll guess #2 as the lie.

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  112. Many congratulations, Crystal! This is so exciting. I have 5 children as well. More power to you to homeschool everyone. And congratulations to your 16 year old in college already. You're doing something right.

    As for Theresa's lie. Yikes! I'll have to say #3. Congratulations, Theresa on a beautiful new poetry book. All best to everyone!

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  113. I'd say #2 as well.

    Baby! Baby girl! The grandma in me becomes melted grandma jell-o when I see a baby.

    Please stop by my Susan Kane, Writer site, if baby kicking belly time allows you. I would like comments from writers whom I admire!

    Baby!

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  114. Wow! You have a lot of comments. :) Congratulations on the baby. I think I said that on Facebook already. Theresa's book is wonderful.

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  115. Congratulations on the new baby! That's wonderful, and I'm happy for you and your family. And yes, it definitely sounds like you have a lot on your plate, so there's no harm in taking a step back from writing for now and focusing on the other things in your life that are important too.
    I have taken long breaks from writing, particularly when I was in Small Town and teaching way too many students and working too many hours at my second job as well. I missed writing but just didn't have the energy for it after hours of grading papers.

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Hit me with your cheese!