This week, I’m sort of – maybe – interested in the word, “Milquetoast.” What does it mean?
Adjective: lacking in character or vigor : WISHY-WASHY
Noun: A timid, meek, or unassertive person
It’s a strangely spelled word, introduced in 1924 by cartoonist Harold T. Webster in a comic strip called, “The Timid Soul,” published in the New York Herald Tribune. Webster claimed the character, Caspar Milquetoast, was a “man who speaks softly and gets hit with a big stick.” It slipped into use as a synonym beginning in the mid-30’s.
The word sounds like, “milk toast,” doesn’t it? This dish, popular in the late 19th and early 20th century, consists of toasted bread served in warm milk, sugar and butter…eesh. Seems like the bread would get all mushy. On the other hand, french toast, which is bread soaked in eggs and maybe a little milk, that’s completely different.
Here’s a sentence from Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary: Do we really want a someone who is a milquetoast halfhearted candidate or someone who will defend the Constitution with every fiber of her being? — Dana B. Orr
Here’s mine: I refuse to order a milquetoast breakfast of bread soaked in anything but eggs!
This week, I’m obsessed about the word, “Sonder,” which I found on a nifty Pinterest site, Cool Words and Their Meaning, by Marisa Turpin. What does this word mean?
– the realization each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.
How cool is that? Haven’t heard about Sonder before? The noun seems to have been invented by John Koenig and was planned to be described in his upcoming book, The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.
I recently received a tweet from my friend @tarasheets, and it linked to her blog posting about PNWA’s upcoming conference. It reminded me that we’ll get to hang out with other writers, as well as agents and editors at the event in the third week of July.
It did, however point out a sobering fact. I haven’t blogged since last year. As Snagglepuss would say, “Heavens to Murgatroyd!”
I really do want to blog. I know that as a writer it’s important to blog. And I’m harboring a list of interesting and humorous topics sure to change peoples lives (uh huh) if I could just convince myself to blog. I just don’t see how the act of blogging fits into the hours of the day.
As it is, I wrote this posting while sitting at a Seattle Center restaurant after dinner (I didn’t even cook) wondering how to slide back into the online saddle. I was guessing I needed a clever and probably complex way to wedge the activity into my priorities. It’s just that I still need to find time to:
Write
Work
Eat
Go wine tasting (I may prioritize this before eating)
Volunteer with PNWA
Pay bills – after they go to collections. No, not really. It’s just that it feels that way because I’d rather be writing.
Sleep, often after wine tasting
Wait, don’t I have a family somewhere in the US?
It’s a busy world. Plus, not to be obvious, but Winter is coming.
Contrary to what many social media experts claim, writing a blog posting isn’t always a quick process. At least, I don’t think so, not if you’re a “budding” writer. Maybe it’s just me, but I agonize over the choice of every word. I worry my ideas don’t seem good enough. I edit and edit and then, edit some more. And I’m convinced that I’m confusing my readers with an array of dizzying subjects (Hello readers, are you still there?). I certainly confuse myself sometimes.
I envy the kid in Chef (@Chefthefim), a satisfying movie that’s guaranteed to make you smile and expect nothing less than amazing food for dinner. Young Percy knew exactly what to post on Twitter. Plus, he could upload videos faster than his Dad could smash a Cuban sandwich between the jaws of a press. And Percy worked his social media magic all without looking at his phone. I wanna do that!
Bottom line, I guess if you’re a character in a movie or a book, maybe there’s time to go online.
Of course, I did find time to write this posting sitting around after dinner for thirty minutes, or so. It required some editing later on, and a second glass of wine might have been involved, but the solution wasn’t so complex.
Hmm…maybe it’s not as difficult as I’m making it? 🙂
Bummer, it’s over. The 2013 PNWA Writers Conference finished this last Sunday and I’m excited to use what I’ve learned! I had a wonderful time and I’ve dedicated this posting to a trip report, from the perspective of both a writer and board trustee with PNWA.
The Seattle conference, held July 25th – July 28th, covered a wide selection of topics important for writers today. Workshops addressed the craft of writing, agent/editor relationships, marketing and social media, and the many ways to become published. In parallel, the schedule highlighted a set of nerve-wracking sessions called, “Power Pitch.” Organized like speed-dating, these ninety-minute pitch fests connected writers with agents and editors searching for new manuscripts to read and represent.
Sandy McCormack and Pam Binder (PNWA Vice President and President) kick off the literary contest awards on Saturday night
Several well-known authors stopped by to regale the attendees en masse. Keynote speaker Greg Bear was welcomed at the Thursday evening dessert reception. Friday’s panel with Deb Caletti, Stella Cameron, Robert Dugoni, and Gerry Swallow offered encouragement and humor. On Saturday night, we celebrated the winners of PNWA’s Literary Contest, announced over dessert. And on Sunday, Mary Bisbee-Beek wrapped up with a discussion on the differences between Marketing and Promotion.
Some new activities were introduced to the program this year. PNWA hosted a free workshop for budding writers (ages 8-12) called, “Kid’s Day with Dr. Cuthbert Soup.” They also launched the 2014 PNWA Nancy Pearl Book Award, an annual literary contest. The pilot program recognizes PNWA member’s Best Books published in 2013.
Margie Lawson, Tara Sheets, and me (Sorry for the blurry photo!)
I now have three conferences under my belt and this year was my favorite. As a writer, I focused on the craft workshops, anything to help finish my WIP! And I moderated three wonderful sessions, Introduction to Speculative Fiction by Danika Dinsmore and two of the many mind-bending sessions led by Margie Lawson on her EDITs system and deep editing techniques. (This list barely hints at the packed agenda. See PNWA’s website for the full listing.)
Tara Sheets & Jean Miller
The conference was also a terrific forum to speak informally with agents and editors and a way to connect your peeps. I hung out with Tara Sheets, a 2013 finalist for the RWA Golden Heart Award (Thanks for the photos!). I caught up with Richard Hacker, who recently signed a contract for his third book with Champagne Press. And had the opportunity to say hello to many writer friends, like Jean Miller, who I met in the Popular Fiction Certificate programs put on by the UW.
Tara Sheets and I, waiting for more caffeine. And look, our outfits match.
And as a new writer, I send a big thanks to the conference organizers. A special shout-out to Pam Binder, best-selling author and PNWA president, for her vision and tireless efforts. And a call-out to the amazing PNWA staff, volunteers, and other board members who helped make the conference such great event.
My favorite learning from the conference? For me, it was Margie Lawson’s workshop on how to write dialogue cues like a psychologist. That, and her review of “power words” provided a focus for final edits on my current WIP.
What enables someone to fling themselves into the Blogosphere, pushing past fear of failure in a very public way? I think it’s a combination of knowledge, chutzpa, and knowing they’re not alone. I salute these brave souls.
I’ve talked about “launching a blog” for several months, studying books and websites which espouse the rules of creating a web log. I lurked, strategized, planned and started listing out my tasks. But I like to get things right. And the prospect of baring my soul before being completely ready – much like many writers – turned me into an immobilized skydiver, quivering at the open door of a plane, staring down at the world of WordPress below.
Today, my internal pilot took control. She accused me of wasting precious fuel and pushed me out of the plane.
So here I am, hurdling into this aspect of my online journey with what I’ve learned to date. Successful bloggers note that the best blogs serve to educate their readers. They communicate in a way that’s consumable, entertaining, and they inspire people to connect. Kristen Lamb, in her book, Are You There, Blog? It’s Me, Writer, explains how blog postings should be true, helpful, informative, necessary and kind. I plan to take these teachings to heart. And since I want to enjoy what I’m doing, I hope the things I’m passionate about can be made of service to my readers.
I own a small plaque painted with a quote from John Burroughs, “Leap and the net will appear.” I guess it’s about time to dive into the discussion. Maybe, my followers might want to come along? I just hope that, like me, they don’t take too long to jump in!
This week, I’m obsessed about the word, “Sonder,” which I found on a nifty Pinterest site, 
