You know what I'd like ...

I would actually like a lot of different things, but one of the first things I would like would be to see the Yankees and the Cardinals in the World Series this year. Fifty years ago in 1964, the Cardinals beat the Yankees in seven games. Another thing I would like to see should this dream meeting come to pass is the Cardinals' winning again.  I would like it to be a thrilling World Series, like the one against Texas.  I'd like to see Wainwright completely baffle the Yankees every time he pitched and win 1 to 0  or 2 to 1 each time and strike out 14 batters.  I'd like to see Wacha and Garcia pick up the other two wins with Rosenthal and Motte picking up saves. Wow, wouldn't that be a classic. I love baseball and the 64 World Series is about the first one I have any recollection of. I was six.  I definitely remember the 67 and 68 World Series. In 68 Gibson had one of the best years any pitcher has ever had.  Wainwright is on his way to having a Gibson year this year.

I would also like to write a best-selling novel this summer, finish a play, and option a screenplay. I don't think that's asking for too much.  Sigh. This happens to me every summer.  Summer, to me, is a time of hope and promise.  I get, more or less, two months off.  Before you start talking about overpaid teachers, let me assure you that during the school year, I spend hours every week after I get home on grading papers and doing lesson plans.  I also always teach at least one and generally two night classes every semester to supplement my income.  I'm signed up to teach two this summer, but I don't know if they will make or not.  I will also be rewriting my curriculum and searching for additional resources to use in my classroom this summer.  So don't give me that crap about being overpaid.  Now, I will end my mini-rant and continue.

I always think about what I will accomplish during the summer with my writing. I never accomplish exactly what I want -- usually not even close.  Most teachers will tell you the same.  We usually spend at least a couple weeks winding down from the stresses of the school year.  When I don't accomplish what I want, I just get frustrated because I realize that I am getting older and I don't have the time or the mind I once had to write the way I need to if I really want to write that best-selling novel.  I used to think that I would wait until the summer and do my writing, and I discovered that I could never do all I wanted.  I have lately been thinking about how much I will be able to write once I am retired, but the problem is, not too many 60 year old retirees make a dent in the publishing world.  I am not so naive that I do not know that my dreams of being a writer full time are withering on the vine, but that does not mean I will stop trying.  Chasing a useless dream may appear stupid to some, but it is a necessity for me.  During the school year, I do not have enough uninterrupted evenings to write consistently.  Many times, when I get home from school, I am just mentally exhausted.  I know, you have been there too, but the big difference with a lot of jobs is that it ends once you get home.  Teaching never ends.  Enough of that.

I am trying to make myself more attractive to a publishing by extending my online presence.  I would ask that you follow my blog, follow me on Facebook and twitter.  My twitter account has tweets for everyone.  @stevecrosswords  If you want to check out some of my tweets use #crossbytes #crossbyte #dearstudent

Enjoy.  I'll write later.

What is up.

Crossroads
This is a light, breezy entry with no focus whatsoever, and I don't have any idea why any would want to read it or why I am writing it.  Most people who blog blog because they have some angle they want to share with the world.  I'm still trying to figure out my angle.  I originally thought this would be just a blog filled with wise sayings and advice from a common joe who just has a few things to say if people want to listen.

At other times, I have posted my work on here for people to read, and at other times, I've tried to give writing advice.  And once or twice, I have used my blog to rant.  I'm not sure what people would want me to write about.  What do you all want to read?  Well, since not very many people read this anyway, I guess it doesn't matter.

For the last three weeks, I have risen to my 30 day crossbyte challenge.  Every day of school, I have written a new crossbyte.  Many people tell me I ought to write a book with little devotional things.  I guess I could do that.  I'd need to come up with a logo though.  If you want to read a lot of crossbytes, go to my twitter page @stevecrosswords or type in #crossbytes.

Todays crossbyte is
"If you want things to start looking up, then you need to stop looking behind and start looking ahead."

It's easy to have many regrets about the past and to think about all of the would haves, could haves, and should haves, but this kind of thinking doesn't get you anywhere.  In fact, it can cause you to regress by making you afraid of taking chances. How are you ever going to take advantage of all the possibilities of the present and future if you keep mourning the missed opportunities of the past?  They are over. You can't change them.  One of the main points of my interpersonal communication class is that a person can never undo any communication.  Once it's out, it's permanent.  The past is past.  You can't go back with a Mulligan and redo it.

If you are a person who is too timid to step proudly into the future, it could be because you are too mired in the past.  It's time to pull yourself out and walk on.

Literary Note: I'm working on an important play.  I have 20 pages completed.

Writer's Heaven

                                                        Author Jason Mott: The Returned
As a writer, I have to tell you, the last two weeks have been heaven for me.  Last weekend, I went to the MO. SCBWI retreat for PAL writers in Springfield.  I stayed in a luxurious B and B called the Elfindale.  It was a full weekend of talking to other writers, writing, and meeting people who have succeeded in the business to varying degrees.  Lots of interesting people there.  Good food and a great ambience also. While there I participated in a feedback group and got some awesome feedback on my novel, and I also got some insider information about publishing and the kinds of things that make your book stand out from others.  It was very beneficial, and I can't wait until my day job ends for the year, and I have the summer to explore some possibilities.

Last night, I went to a reception for Jason Mott, the writer of the Returned, which is the novel that the television show Resurrection is based on. He was very funny, warm, friendly, and down-to-earth, the kind of guy you'd like to go out and have a beer with and discuss the meaning of life.  His inspiration for The Returned was very interesting.  He also gave us some inside information about the business of publishing.  His story is interesting because the optioning of his book for the television show and the publication of it were almost simultaneous.  Usually, a book has to prove its staying power before it gets optioned.  He had three studios interested in it, and eventually, settled for ABC.

Last night's reception was so nice.  It was held at one of the local B and B's.  Each couple who came got a free copy of the book, there was free wine, and cheese, sausage and all kinds of bread and crackers.  Some of Arcadia's well-known folk were there.  My wife was not interested in going with me, so I took my daughter Megan.  She had a wonderful time, as did I.

All of us mingled until about nine, and then Mr. Mott, told us a little about his journey to publication.  Then, he read an excerpt from the book and fielded questions.  I asked a couple questions I thought people might be interested in knowing.  He has actually published a couple collections of poetry.  In fact, he published them before he published his book.  He talked about how much he loved narrative poetry like The Odyssey, The Illiad, and Beowulf, and that he writes narrative poetry so it sort of goes along with his fiction.  I would like to look up some of his poetry and read it also.  I too like narrative poetry.

I am going to try to keep up with my blog a little bit more than I have because I am going to do my best to publish a novel soon and I need a steady online presence.  The editor who spoke to us at the retreat last weekend said that it was important. I'm doing all right with twitter and facebook, but I'm not doing well with my blog.