August Letter from the Editor

Hurray! It’s August. Quite frankly, I’m relieved. July has been one accident after another, and I’m hoping August will break my clumsy streak. Oh, the accidents weren’t life-threatening. One involved me typing away, reaching for something, and sending my coffee cup flying. That little episode cost me $99 to call a carpet cleaner to get the stain up. Did I mention the coffee cup was full? Did I mention my first attempt to use Resolve and Dawn Detergent didn’t work and Dawn actually fades your carpet? Oy!

Accident number two occurred a day or so later. My carpet was freshly cleaned, therefore, I’d placed my computer on my breakfast nook. I’d been out on a walk, so I poured a glass of ice water, set to get to work and dumped the entire contents on my laptop. 

Doomed! Doomed I tell you. I immediately shut it off and tried to drain the darn thing, but water was everywhere. Worst part--the computer is not yet a year old.

Fortunately, I know a great computer repair shop. The owner said, “Did you turn it on?”  Of course I had. (Note, if this ever happens to you, do not turn it on.) Long story longer. The next day as I headed out to research computers, my cell rang, and the owner said, “Good news, it’s dry and it’s working.” That incident deprived me of an additional $35, but I paid it willingly because it could have been far, far worse.

What did I learn from my accident-prone July? Do not keep liquids near your computer. As I type this, my coffee cup is in Virginia!

Obviously, I’ve been distracted. Writers get that way. I was thinking, of course, about my manuscript. But also the sensational articles we have coming up for you this month. Tying nicely into avoiding accidents and hindering our writing careers, we’ll talk about health and ergonomics. Darby Karchut has a great article on Don’t Just Sit There – Move! Catherine Dilts presents an outstanding series on ergonomics, complete with graphics, and deadline driven Barbara Nickless, writes about stress. 

We’ll have a review of Jason Evan’s July Write Brain on Writing African American characters. Deb McLeod, the Writing Coach has an update on her 90-Day Genre Series Project, and Kathie Scrimgeour has a new column called, Meet the Member (a new feature introducing a PPW member).

Finally, I’d like to do a shout out to K.L. Cooper who has been designing some fantastic graphics for the blog and on Facebook and will be joining the blog as a columnist.  Writing from the Peak is also moving in the near future as part of Pikes Peak Writers redesigned website.

Lots of things in store for the rest of the year, and especially August. We hope you’ll tune in. Suggestions for content? Interested in writing for the blog? If you’re a Pikes Peak Writers member, I will consider your ideas and your writing. If you’re not a member, why aren’t you? PPW membership is free. Join Here  The advantages and learning opportunities are tremendous.

Hey, everybody, it's August. Here's an idea. Have an outstanding—accident free—writing month.

About the author: Donnell Ann Bell is the managing editor for Writing from the Peak, the coordinator for the monthly Open Critique held on the first Wednesday of every month, and one of Pikes Peak Writer's board members at large. She is a best selling romantic suspense and mystery author. To learn more about her books, find her at www.donnellannbell.com