Brimming Joy

“One day at a time—this is enough. Do not go back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.”
--Ida Scott Taylor

The Lappy is back but life has kept me away. I’d apologize but I’m truly not that sorry. I’ve had some things happen recently that have filled up my heart in a way that brought to life how empty that place of me has been.

Sometimes, we just need to live, right?

So my big news is that after two long years, my little brother is home. He had been serving a mission in Paraguay for our church and on Friday, he stepped off of the plane and back into the insanity that is our family. But oh, what a happy insane asylum it is!

I’ve always known how much I adore my little brother and I felt his loss keenly every single day he was gone but I can’t describe the welling of joy into a canyon of my heart that was so empty without him. There has been so much laughter these last several days. It’s like having lived underwater for so long that I’d forgotten I breathe air.

Perhaps it sounds a bit dramatic but if you knew my little bro, you’d say it’s not near adequate enough to describe the impact he has on our lives. Either way, I’m full of happy.

The other good news? I’m making some significant progress on my WIP and a new project too. It’s amazing what a little lack-of-internet can do for you, huh? =]

I’ll do my best to post more often but if you’re seeing less of me, just know that I’m either writing up a storm or laughing up one.

Until next time,

L.T.

Short Notice

I’m so sorry to say this but my lappy, Slick, had to go into the Lappy Hospital. I have limited access to another computer and it’s basically capable of checking email and making weird, growly noises at me. I’m unable to check blogs. =*[

Just know that I’m thinking of you all, missing you, and will be back soon!

All my best,

L.T.

p.s. I just came back from the amazing LTUE symposium/conference and I’ll be sure to fill you in ASAP!

All Things Writerly

“The key to wisdom is knowing all the right questions.”
--John A. Simone

Hello and welcome to another exciting addition of L.T. Answers All! (Okay, not really, but Welcome all the same!) Today’s questions were asked all in a row and ironically, are all about writing. So here we go!

Elizabeth Bradley asked, How old were you when you started writing—when you knew you wanted to write?

I was eight  years old when I knew I wanted to write books for the rest of my life. I wrote a silly little story for a friend about unicorns, Pegasus, and war. Right away, I was full of conflict. ;) (And apparently, had my genre picked out.)

DL Hammons asked, When was the first time somebody made a fuss about something you wrote?

The first time someone made a fuss about my writing was in 1994. My uncle had recently passed away so that’s how I remember the date so well. In an English class, our teacher wanted us to write a poem about someone we loved and who had taught us something. I didn’t know my uncle very well but the memories I had of him were good ones.

The poem was cheesy but heartfelt and in an innocent desire to help her feel better, I shared it with my grandmother. I look back on that poem now and shudder but she never did. Every time I saw her, for the next ten years or more, she praised that poem. The poem truly didn’t deserve it but it was the first time anyone had really seen something in my writing.

Though my grandmother has now gone to be reunited with her beloved husband and son, her words remain with me. I’ll never forget the way she made me want to do better—show her better than that silly attempt—but I don’t know that she ever would have changed her mind.

Kristina P. asked, If you weren’t a writer, what job would you have?

If I wasn’t a writer? You mean the world goes on? It still spins on its axis and the sun rises and sets? No. You’re pulling my leg.

Seriously, if I wasn’t a writer I’d probably clean barns for a living. I was raised with horses and despite how grody it sounds, there’s nothing like the smell of the barn. Naturally, I’d sneak a pony or two out for a ride. Compensation, right?

Well, that’s it for now! I’m trying to rein in my wordiness. (Ha ha!)

Until next time,

L.T.

p.s. Tell me about your start as a writer. Don’t write? Fill me in on your passions and their beginnings.

Scars and Software

“You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.”
--Naguib Mahfouz

Again, a hearty THANK YOU to all of you for your questions. They’re my saving grace this week. So let’s get this party started, huh?

Annette Lyon asked me: Where do you have a scar, and what’s the story behind it?

I’ve always wanted to be asked this question! (Isn’t that kind of odd?) I have a strange almost-heart-shaped scar on my left knee. When I was a teenager, it was the bane of my summertime. It was large, puffy, and ugly as sin. I never felt comfortable wearing shorts or a swimsuit in public because I was always worried about people seeing it. It didn’t stop me from going swimming or wearing shorts but I was neurotically worried about it.

How did I get it? I had a friend that lived a couple of miles away and several times a week, we’d walk, bike, or rollerblade to each other’s houses. One time, I’d skated to her house, which happened to be up a pretty steep hill. I was late getting home (sorry, mom!) and didn’t want to take the time to safely walk down said steep hill and thought, “I can totally skate down this just fine. I have brakes.”

Yeah. Let’s just say that I pin-wheeled into oncoming traffic and almost got hit by 3 cars. The asphalt ripped right through my brand new jeans and proceeded through my once smooth skin. When I finally made it home, after hobble-skating the remaining two miles, my mom took one look at me and said, “What did you do to your jeans!” ;) Love ya, Mom.

CgLearner (a.k.a. The General) asked me, Who’s your favorite software architect?

You, baby. Always.

Well, that’s it for today’s questions! I’ll have more tomorrow so, stay tuned! Thanks again, everyone!

Until next time,

L.T.

p.s. Do you have a scar story? Feel like sharing?

Q’s with A (Ali that is!)

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’”
--C.S. Lewis

First of all, a huge THANK YOU to all of you for helping me out with the questions. I truly needed a break from my own brain and I’m so grateful for your help! I will be answering those a few at a time through the next little while. But, you know me, I may switch it up with another post or two between them. God loves wondrous variety and all that.

Secondly, I had the chance to do some of my own question asking with my friend Ali Cross and today she’ll be giving me the what’s what via her Vlog. (Because she’s both skilled and cool like that.)  Ali always makes me laugh and she’s one of the most upbeat, happy people I’ve ever known.

Her new vlog series, Ask Ali, is both informative and fun! You can check that out HERE and please do. I promise you’ll love it!

Until next time,

L.T.

comments closed…because you really should go check out ali’s vlog. You’ll laugh.