Disappointing news

This week began with sad news. My elementary/language arts tutor was forced to leave me. I almost allowed panic to set in as I remembered that the last search for an elementary tutor took almost two months. But this time I was determined to act swifter and more aggressively.

First, I asked my middle/high school math tutor how she felt about helping upper elementary kids with math. She agreed to take our two older elementary students, but that leaves two lower elementary students who still needed a tutor.

Then I went to each of the tutor web sites on which I’m signed up and searched for elementary tutors in the area. I sent each one an invitation to call me—about eight, I think.

Last, I called a young woman who happened into my office last week with an offer to tutor high school science and math. I thought it was unlikely she would be interested in working with lower elementary students, but worth a chance. Was I ever glad to hear that she is not only interested, but eager. Turns out, she once considered getting certified to teach elementary school. So she starts next Monday, and all of my younger students are covered.

I also received some disappointing running news. My good friend Beth, who recently moved to Colorado, can’t do the Estes Park, CO marathon in June. I’d rather wait and do it with her, so I decided to go in search of another one in late May or early June. I’m leaning toward Casper Wyoming on June 4. It looks like a mostly flat course for a mountainous state, and the route appears to be very scenic, much of it running along the Platte River.

As for The Daydream¹, I’m thinking about tabling it for now, with the expectation of doing a total rewrite later. (Every time I read GOOD writing, such as Connie May Fowler’s The Problem with Murmur Lee, I think I’m wasting my time thinking I’m a writer, or at least I need to improve the quality of my writing.) I want to continue working on The View from the Back² for now, since the marketing for it will be much easier, both in terms of selling the manuscript and marketing the book.

¹The Daydream is the story of my premature marriage, my descent into despair, and my rocky path up and out of that miserable life.

²The View from the Back chronicles the lessons and experiences of this “mature,” slow runner, from my first run through my most recent marathon.

That’s all for this week.

For my tutoring service, visit http://WiseOwlTutoring.net.

For more information about my writing and editing, visit http://BettieWailes.com.

Yikes! I'm late.

Where has the week gone? I try to post on Tuesdays, and suddenly here it is Thursday. Oh well, a recurring theme of my life is “better late than never.”

I’m feeling energetic about my writing lately, putting in time editing my first memoir, The Daydream, and writing the second, The View from the Back of the Pack. I’ve also been actively researching agents and publishers for the first book.

I’ve also been researching airfares to marathon cities. I’d like to do one in May, but I’ll have to be content with Estes Park, CO in June and Spearfish, SD in August. Money, money. Wish I had more of it. On the other hand, I sure am enjoying what I’m doing with my days—tutoring, writing, editing, running.

I could afford several trips for what it’s costing to have the air ducts replaced in my house. Workers are there even as I’m writing. This is the kind of expenditure I tend to postpone because it’s such an invisible thing, and certain not “fun.” But it is necessary and I hope to recoup a little of the expense by way of lower energy costs.

This is my 4^th year participating in registration for the annual conference of the Florida Writers Association. This year the conference will be held on November 10-12 at Coronado Springs Resort at Disney. Yes, Disney. While I’m not a big fan of Disney myself, I’m excited that we’ve chosen that location for two big reasons. First, while the writer in the family is attending the conference, the writer’s family will have endless entertainment choices. Second (and this is SO selfish), we’re back to the central part of the state—in an area easily accessible by all. (On a personal note, it’s convenient to have the conference in my own backyard. Just one of the perks of living in the world’s largest playground.)

Registration opened April 1, and the registrations are starting to come in. I’m expecting this years’ conference (the 5^th) to be bigger and better than ever (although last year’s conference will be hard to beat). We already have most of the speakers lined up. For more info about the conference, go to FloridaWriters.net and click on Conferences.

Till next time, take care.

For my tutoring service, visit http://WiseOwlTutoring.net.

For more information about my writing and editing, visit http://BettieWailes.com.

Another medal, another state

I’m looking at my 29^th marathon finisher medal, along with a first-place age group award. My state count is now 18. Yes, I had a good marathon on Saturday in Ocean City, Maryland. My finish time was 5:28, which isn’t impressive but it’s about a half hour faster than my last few marathons. Now I’m charged up to do another one soon.

I didn’t know what a treat I had in store when I planned this destination. Ocean City is a pretty, resort town with a boardwalk and amusement park. The small marathon was well-organized with a scenic, flat course, lots of friendly volunteers, and good food at the finish. The bonus was the weather—high 50s and cloudy.

Sunday at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor was a treat, too. What did I spy as soon as I wandered into a Barnes & Noble but Connie May Fowler’s The Problem with Murmur Lee. I couldn’t resist. So far, it’s a pleasure to read. I’m eager to read more of this tale told from a unique perspective.

As if Connie May’s book wasn’t inspiring enough, I read a few issues of The Writer in airports and on airplanes. I’m highly motivated to get on with my writing.

For information about my tutoring service, go to http://WiseOwlTutoring.net.

For information about my writing and editing, go to http://BettieWailes.com.

Another great week!

Hello again. Wow! My memoir, The Daydream, is being edited by Amy Balaban and I LOVE the suggestions she’s making. I believe these changes will truly improve the manuscript. I made two more submissions since last week—one in writing, one on line. I’m serious about collecting at least 30 rejections. If it isn’t sold after that, I might consider self-publishing. But I really hope I’m not cornered into that option, because many of the self-published books I’ve read are not quality manuscripts, so I’d rather not have that negative association.

Marathon day is almost here—this Saturday, the 8^th. I’m feeling my usual combination of excitement, anticipation and apprehension. I’m looking forward to seeing Maryland, maybe DC, and I’m expecting a successful finish, but traveling alone carries just a little anxiety for me. I’m sure it’ll be a good trip and I hope to return with the 29^th finish medal and the state count up to 18.

Tutoring is still going well. The mentor of a new student offered to take me on a “marketing tour” of Winter Park High. She plans to introduce me to the test coordinator and the principle to promote my tutoring service. I tutored her son a couple of years ago and she recently brought in a young girl she’s mentoring. She’s apparently happy with our service and wants to promote Wise Owl Tutoring to the school. I’m grateful and plan to gratefully accept her offer. One more reason to think that this little service may expand further.

For my tutoring service, visit http://WiseOwlTutoring.net.
For more information about my writing and editing, visit http://BettieWailes.com.