Razzberry Jam

Frederik Pohl's Rules for Writing

2012-02-04T08:36:00.000-08:00

1. Write every day. Yes, that means that you must write 365 days a year. No excuses.

2. Write 600 words a day. If it takes you 45 minutes, fine. You are done for the day. If it takes you 18 hours, fine. That's how long your writing required that day.

3. Finish every piece you start. That way, you never fail as a writer since a writer's only real failure is the abandoned piece.

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I got this from Writer's Delight blog and it sure resonates!

If you write every single day, you'll have that story finished pretty darn quickly. 600 words multiplied by 30 days is 18,000 words. So in two months, you'll have at least 36,000 words on paper. That's a novella already! In six months, you'll have 108,000 words -- a novel!

And to think, you started your novel with only 600 words a day...

(Note: In general, under 80,000 words is a novella or juvenile fiction and over 80,000 is a novel. Traditional publishers like seeing novels between 80,000 and 120,000 words. However, you should write until the story is done, then worry about word counts!)

Making A Few Nickels While Posting Online

2012-01-19T09:17:00.000-08:00

Now, I'm not going to pretend that you make a lot of money posting to forums. It's basically pennies per post and to do well, you must write good posts. That means more than one sentence and sharing relevant information and/or opinions in a well organized and well written manner.

Having said that, if you're the kind of person who spends a lot of time online and "talking" in forums, why not get paid for it?

I'm hooked up with PostLoop. If you're interested, hey, I wouldn't mind if you used my link so I could make an extra nickel now and again: http://www.postloop.com/invite/RuthDJ.

There are a number of forums hooked up with PostLoop and a significant amount of activity, so you can select topics that interest you and have some lively discussions. It's actually a nice break from your regular writing routine and a better use of your "spare" time than Facebook or craigslist!

And hey, thanks for looking!

The National Anthem - January 11, 2012

2012-01-17T09:41:00.000-08:00

Winter Classic 2011 in San Jose, CA

2012-01-03T12:14:00.000-08:00

Our first ice hockey tournament. It was a good experience.

I took snippets of video with my Blackberry and this is what my son put together.

Yes, he's the goalie!

The Hobbit Is Coming!

2011-12-22T08:40:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh, I am so excited!

I still have to wait a year to see The Hobbit, but it's finally on its way to us.

I can hardly wait, if the film is half as good as the trailer, it's going to be 100 times better than the garbage that the studios put out 99% of the time!

Check it out!

"Voodoo Macbeth"

2011-12-20T08:53:00.000-08:00

My friend's grandmother, Ethel Johnson-Drayton, was in this play. She was one of the witches, freeze the frame at about 3:15 or so and you can see her pretty clearly.

Her husband was a well-known jazz dancer, Thaddeus Drayton.

"Voodoo Macbeth":
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/fedtp/ftsmth00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voodoo_Macbeth
http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2006/10/17/voodoo-macbeth/
http://deeperintomovies.net/journal/archives/4065
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul25.html

Thaddeus Drayton:
http://www.streetswing.com/histmai2/d2greenlee-drayton.htm
http://atdf.org/awards/ClassAct.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=WXrzH6mz4cMC&pg=PA111&lpg=PA111&dq=Thaddeus+Drayton+dancer&source=bl&ots=GthoNJ9O5b&sig=eRzk1q5oBS0K51VtnT6JYOsunnc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yrbwTr_yA63TiAKxo5iPDg&sqi=2&ved=0CDkQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Thaddeus%20Drayton%20dancer&f=false
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2306&dat=19150612&id=l6knAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lAQGAAAAIBAJ&pg=4918,5233808

A New Beginning

2011-10-31T09:42:00.000-07:00

Well, except for being short on cash, I'm enjoying our new beginning. I have so much to do here and I've GOT to get finished moving so I can stop going to California every couple of weeks.

Oh, yes, I'll be back in Cali. In fact, I'll be in San Jose the week between Christmas and New Years. But running back and forth is killing my budget. I need to be able to settle down and just work for a few weeks to generate more income.

Anyway, this move is a good thing for all of us.

I love the house, I wish it were mine. There's a lot of things I'd do to fix it up. But the best part is the property. This is the view from my kitchen window.

Note the burn barrel in the yard! Yes, I'm not in Cali any more!

RIP Josh

2011-10-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

I can't explain why bad things happen to good people.

Josh, you were one of the good kids. We will all miss you terribly, until the day comes that we all go Home. You were taken before your time by a murderer, you and your cousin.

Rest in Peace dear young man. Rest in Peace.

The North Bay Stand Down in Dixon, CA

2011-10-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

Yes, Stand Down started today and I'm not there. I have moved to Oregon to begin my "retired" life.

LOL! Retired? Yeah, right. Now I'm self-employed so you know I'm busting behind, writing online content, researching new revenue streams AND still trying to get organized.

I'm only retired from Gov't work. My real work continues...

In the meantime, it's not too late to head over to Dixon to volunteer at the Stand Down. They still need YOU to help tomorrow and on Thursday and Friday with closing down and the massive clean-up job. We always need more volunteers to clean the grounds, take out the trash, mop the floors and do a complete scrub-down in the kitchen.

I Am Moving!

2011-08-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm getting ready to move out of state.

It's not easy, but I'm going to do it. I'm a Cali kid, born and raised, so this is going to be a big change.

Well, ok, a change. I'm only moving about 30 miles outside the state, so there's plenty of California people already there. In fact, some of my old co-workers beat me there.

I'm moving closer to family, to a cheaper area, where there's ice hockey at high school level.

So, gotta run! Only another 7 or 8 bookcases to pack. And the rest of my liquor bottle collection. And the California Raisins.

And more, much, much more...

Martha Stewart Wedding!

2011-05-21T13:22:00.001-07:00

Yes!

My oldest son, the professional photographer, and his wife shot a wedding in Bali last year and it made it to Martha Stewart Weddings!

Wow!

And check out the next to the last image -- awesome!

The Wedding

The First Week

2011-05-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

Well the first week of retirement still feels like a week of Fridays (I used to have every other Friday off). Every day I get up, get a kid off to school, then come back and attempt to write.

I say attempt because my daughter is in the process of moving out! We spent all day yesterday painting the tiny little duplex she's renting (yes, Mom has been bleeding money) and have to go back to finish painting all the trim and the kitchen dining area. I must say that she's doing a good job -- of course I'm following along and touching up.

But, but, but, curses upon whoever used FLAT paint on the window and door trims. And it's a horrible almost brownish beige that looks like they mixed it with whatever was lying around that day. What the heck were they thinking? It's going to take at least two coats of a good semi-gloss to cover that mess. Maybe three. AND they painted the doors that color too!! I may need another can of cream-colored paint...

So, my little singer is also a decorator. The bathroom, a lovely shade of light grey with hints of lilac. Looks great with the grey floor and tiles. The bedroom is orchid. Gorgeous. And the living room is "Homemade Butterscotch". A little dark, hope the landlord doesn't have a cow, but beautiful. It will look fabulous with her leopard print sofa and chair!

She is incredibly excited, as she should be. Her first place and it's not even an apartment and relatively cheap, only about $100 more than a studio would be. Not too shabby.

I really should take pictures...

Retirement - Here I Come!!

2011-04-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

I'm both excited and nervous! Only four more working days and I'm officially retired.

Well, retired from THAT job!

I am returning to my other career, as an artist and writer.

I have so much to do!

The New Mercy Thompson - River Marked

2011-03-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh that was good! I read it cover to cover last night and it was great!

Now, some reviewers complained because a lot of the book was just Mercy and Adam. But (no spoilers here), it was freaking awesome and took some twists and turns that will just blow your mind.

Once again, Patricia Briggs has given us an awesome urban fantasy, complete with fae, werewolf and coyote.

This is a must read for the urban fantasy fan. But start with the first book, Moon Called, don't start in the middle of the series. (I HATE it when I find a book I like and realize I've started in the middle. Then I have to hunt down all the rest of the books...)

On a side note: I have a question - How old is Bran? Really, I'm serious. If Asil is 1300 years old and Bran is older, just how old are Bran and his oldest son Samuel? I'd like to see some more info in future books, either the Alpha and Omega series or in Mercy's series.

The West Coast Blues Awards

2011-03-20T08:25:00.000-07:00

Sunday – March 27, 2011
6:00 to 10:00 pm

HILTON OAKLAND AIRPORT
Grand Ball Room
One Hegenberger Rd, Oakland, CA 94621

This years show will induct notables as Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Winton Marsalis, Lonnie Brooks, Lester Chambers (Chamber Brothers), Ben Hodges (Flamingos), Minor Ellis Williams III, Barbara Taylor, Chuck Johnson (Soul Beat), Patrick Brock, Bonnie Simon, Bruno Brunecker, Church of John Coltrain and Arch Bishop Franzo King,
Eddie Wilson, Henry Dalton Williams, Phil Givant and Johnny Winter.

Bob Geddins Lifetime Achievement Awarded to Vivian Waldrup-Patterson and Julie C. Paisant

TICKETS; $30 in advance; $35 at the door

Purchase tickets at:
Highsierratickets.com

Award Winner List

West Coast Blues Hall of Fame Press Release

We are planning on being there, the Leonard Lothlen Gospel Band is receiving an award and are scheduled to perform. Way awesome!

Despicable Me

2011-02-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

My daughter and I just watched "Despicable Me."

What a cute and clever movie! I really enjoyed it.

It was a fun take on the classic villain/hero cartoon. I would highly recommend it.

Here's a trailer, check it out!

A Late Night In Oakland

2010-12-11T19:47:00.000-08:00

A late night for me, but wow! Well worth it!

Of course, that 5:30am wake-up call (that actually ended up being 6:30am because I overslept -- OOPS!) wasn't easy, but we got to the hockey tournament in Antioch on time.

As I've said before, my little wannabe video camera isn't the best, but it works...

Hockey

2010-12-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

Hockey.

Hockey.

We seem to live and breathe hockey at my house. I rarely have much time to myself, I work, take kid to hockey, go with other (grown) kid to performances, and then I work some more.

Hockey.

Gospel.

Music.

More hockey.

I don't regret this though. My kids will all be grown, just like my oldest, and leading their own lives soon enough. They all grow up way too fast. Way too fast.

Native American Music Awards

2010-10-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

THE 12th ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2010
SENECA NIAGARA HOTEL & CASINO
NIAGARA FALLS, NY

http://www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com/home.cfm

I wish I could be there. Check out the website.

I'm So Excited!

2010-10-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

My daughter did some background work recently and the artist was very happy with it. So she's going to be on an album.

OK, OK, I know, they're CDs now.

I can't say more than that right now. As soon as the CD comes out, I'll post all the details and which track she's on.

Background work is the bread and butter of the vocalist. Luther Vandross, God rest his soul, was a background singer for years before his breakthrough.

Anyway, it's a good start for her. Here we go...

My Novel Is Moving Along

2010-09-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

Slowly, very slowly.

I've been writing it, little by little, but I'm sure it's going to be more than one volume at this point. The chapters are flowing but I just write them, they'll be rearranged and put in proper order, tied together in the editing.

It's taking a very interesting turn, I didn't know it was going in that direction until the words were flowing out onto the keyboard. Wow. Just wow.

I have a sample chapter on my website www.ruthdj.com, but it's very much the first draft so, well, I dunno.

I've already written the ending, but there's a whole lot of travel between the beginning and the end. I feel like I've just put my feet on the road...

Genealogy Stuff

2010-08-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

Mom said it was OK to post these images, in the hope that they'll be of help to other families looking for information on their ancestors.

1909, Christmas Dinner at Fort Assinniboine, Montana
"L" Company, 2nd U.S. Infantry

1910 Thanksgiving dinner

This menu was very fragile so we didn't try to get it entirely flat on the scanner. It is also too large for the borders to show.

Names:
1909 Christmas
Captain Chas. (probably Charles) S. Lincoln
1st Lt Geo. E. Kumpe
2nd Lt F. A. Barker
1st Sgt Orin H. Rigley
Q.M. Sgt Harry J. Burns
Sargents
Rother McCoy
Michael Andes
Wallis Brumby
Corporals
William J. Smith
John W. Rock
Tilden Ingle
Jack J. Evans
John W. Grey
Patrick Hassen
Cooks
Edward LaTaine
Henry H. Barnes
Musicians
Herbert Hammaker
Anthony J. Lukomsk (Lukomski)
Artificer
William T. Whitteker
Privates
Achenbach
Anglin
Antek, Stefan
Bush, Frederick
Capps, Lester R.
Carson, Ray (Corson, Ray)
Collins
Conner, Fred L.
Cooper, G. L.
Cooper, J. F.
Coyle, Edward
Duffy, Thomas J.
Fletcher, James
Goneau, John A.

Hall, Scott

Hammer, Clarence A.
Hilliard, Harry W.

Hillman, John G.
Himanka, Sam
Hoover

Hudson, Jesse J.
Jones, Ellis M.
Kastner, Reinhold
Kemp, Earl E.
Lantinen, Otto
Mailhoit
Manry, Eugene A.
Matloho
McCauley
McHugh, Patrick J.
Miles, Delmus
Moulton, Charles E.
Parsons, Charles A.
Pate. Marcelles
Polk, Willie
Sanford, Otis E.
Schulze
Schwarz, Edward H.
Vincent
Wilks
Wolfeil
Wells, Estell

Added names at Thankgiving 1910
Sgt Martin L. McGaha
Sgt Martin Brogan
Sgt Eli J. Wells
Corporal James Wilkins
L. Corporal O'Brien
Musician Paul Matloha
Privates
Cooper, Charles S.
Cooper, Giles L.
Corson, Ray
Cummins, Alva T.
Evans, Jack J.
Gillman, William
???, Harry (in the fold, can't read it)
Milligan, James J.
Stewart, Alfred E.

Dreyer's® Fruit Bars: Where Will You Plant Your Vote?

2010-06-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

Dreyer's® Fruit Bars: Where Will You Plant Your Vote?

Who should win the orchard?

This is a simple way to support a tribe. I voted for the Yurok Tribe in Hoopa, CA.

Who will you vote for?

My Friend Published An eBook!

2010-06-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

My fellow hockey parent has published an eBook.

I really thought I should share his information and website because he has 15 years of experience in the field -- executive recruitment.

Yes, he's one of those guys that got your boss that great job with awesome pay!

Anyway, he decided to write an eBook and share his expertise with us. With his tips, your resume will stand out from the crowd, you'll shine at your interview, and you'll know exactly what to say to the dreaded question, "Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses." (ARGGHHHHH -- actually, mine are the same, I'm articulate, strong, strong-willed, tenatious, and stubborn. Good when you have to bull on through a project. Not so good when the boss is wrong and I know I'm right... LOL!)

Insider Interview Secrets by Steve Schwartz http://www.insiderinterviewsecrets.com/ -- check it out!

The National Anthem at Roseville Speedway

2010-05-18T20:26:00.001-07:00

Check her out!

Yes, yes, I know it's not a great camera, but check her out!!