Book Rewrite

It has been a while since I posted to my blog; I know I have to get on the ball. I recently added more to my workload. I have been freelance writing for a company by the name of Triond and hopefully I will also be writing for another company name Conjecture. I am enjoying having my work seen. It has done something for the confidence of this amatuer writer, but what I am finding is that with each article I write, I am not only developing an individual writing style, but my writing is getting much better. With that being said, I have some bad news.

The Bad News

My book has been on hold for quite some time now and for the life of me I could not understand why I was stuck writing a book that I have lived. I should know the story line with no problem right? I sure do, but when I began writing my book I was a true novice. My grasp for the English language was pretty tight, but I had no writing style to call my own. I hadn't even adopted one from someone else. I was just writing.

As I have read my book over and over a million times it dawned on me that, I really just didn't like the way I had written it. As I become a better writer, I have learned that I can make my book better, so with that being said I have decided to scrap this one and start over. I know, I know, what the hell am I talking about? Why would I do that after taking so long to write the first draft? Well, if I am not happy with it then no one else will be. I have had family and friends read it, but they are very partial to my writing and will not tell me what I really need to hear.

There was one female writer that was perfectly honest with me. I don't know her from a can of paint, but she took it upon herself to give constructive criticism and I took it. I didn't take it to heart, but I did take. She was right in her critique I know this now and I would have only known by writing other works and having them critiqued just the same. I will be rewriting my book and you all will just have to wait.

With that being said, I want to thank the four people that come and check my blog for updates and are true fans. No exhageration, but all good just the same. I will keep you all posted on the progress of the book and here is where you can find that. Until I am done, God bless and thanks for allowing me to share.

Freelancing Writing

I never realized writing a book would be so boring. I would imagine writing about material that is so familiar would become monotonous. Now, I understand why it was so difficult for some of my professors in college to get their point across. They were too versed on the subject. So, I am taking an even longer break from writing 'Camouflage', but I am still writing. I am not suffering from writer's block nor is my personal life an interference. I have had some recent life changing moments occur in my life. I am just bored with this particular book. It is a good read, but I am just tired of writing it already. I am still writing! Click on the title (Freelance Writing) above to go directly to the page; you will find some of my writing, articles and poems.

There are interesting original articles that I wrote about my life, experiences and some that I have had to gather researched information, such as the article about Sen. Obama. This particular article brings to you those things that make him special. Check it out.

Well, for now I am freelance writing. I pray you all get a chance to check my stuff out and I pray you like it or at least find useful information. Thanks for listening because I will be talking about it!!

Lena

In Love in More Ways Than One!!

I have to tell you all that I am deeply apologetic for taking so long to write this next entry. I have been unbelievably busy these past months, but for good reason. Planning for my 23rd class reunion was in order. It was about time and I have to say it was well worth the wait. We promised we would not wait that long for the next one. We have to do the every 5 year thing after the 25th in two years. I had no idea a reunion would have such a profound affect on my peers and myself. We had a great turnout. The committee did a great job at getting as many of the alumni from Springfield Gardens High School as we could find. The next one will be even bigger and better. We will start a year out. We know what not to do the next time around.

This reunion was particularly great for me because I was reunited with my boyfriend when I was 15 years old. Remarkably, it was like time had stopped. The chemistry was still there and it was apparent. The downside, he is married. The upside, he is getting a divorce. I would say seeing me prompted him to act a bit quicker, but he had a plan and that was to find the girl, now a woman who made him feel so good 25 years ago when his life was a big mess. He has told me constantly that he never stopped loving me that he was still in love with me after all these years and I believe him. He has show such kindness, love, patience, honesty and just sheer courage it is surreal.

So, with saying this you can all imagine my book has suffered much like everything else in my life. I am desperately hanging on to what little bit of focus I have. I don't want to lose it all. I will never get anything done. He is very supportive though and I get the feeling he will make damn sure I finish my book. He told me he bought a bookshelf for all the books I am going to write. I love this man.

I needed to get this one out. I haven't written anything except love letters and poems since my last blog and I apologize. I have decided to publish with Publish America and my agent is doing a good job of keeping me informed on all that I need to know about the industry right now. Thanks Collette. You are a gem.

Well, thanks for listening and I promise to be more on top of this thing. After all this is my love and it was here first. Talk you all soon....

Distractions

Hello to all,

Just want to let you all know that I appreciate you stopping by and keeping up with me! Much love and appreciation!!!

Well, all I can say is it has been hectic to say the least. I have tried to keep it all together, but today I had the scare of my life. I THOUGHT I DELETED MY BOOK FROM MY COMPUTER!!! What? How in the hell does that happen? I won't go into the that. but I will say that I did say I thought. You have to understand when your life gets busy as mine has lately, you lose track of everything. I don't care how careful you are. Now I understand why these celebrities require so much assistance. Damn! They would lose their heads if they didn't have their PAs to keep them attached. I was trying to get all my files together on my computer in folders (how ironic) and there were a whole group of files I could not find. My daughter finally got her own laptop, (yes I am doing the laptop dance) and I wanted to get rid of all her files and straighten mine up a bit.

I put my book and some other very important files on my external hard drive and why didn't I remember that? I would say that I am so organized that I don't even realize, but honestly it is because I have way too many distractions. I work from home, everyone knows this and they still call me during work hours, which I have created for those that work so we could be on the same schedule, but they still call. My people in California. Come on guys, I really have a job. I have been called Tommy (from Martin) because people don't think I have a real job. I am probably the most flexible person I know. But, that is flexible for my and my daughter's benefit, mom and dad maybe, but no one else.

I can't seem to finish the last couple of chapters of my book and it is getting very frustrated and pissed off. I do know how to not answer my phone, but then they call the home phone and there is no turn off button. The ringer causes me to lose focus. I turn the cell off and that doesn't work and they ask if I have finished the book. They want the emails, they want the IM's. I disable everything and people still trying to get at me anyway possible. WOW!!!

Well, I thought I didn't have the luxury of moving to be isolated, but it turns out I do. I will be moving to Atlanta, Georgia to get my mind right. I love it down there and I am not sure I will return to NY, but I have to finish this book. I have publishers waiting.

Come on yall give ya gurl Lena a break and let me finish this book. I am bored with it already and I am ready to start the next one. In fact I have, but I can't continue on until I finish the first one. Love you all still.

Lena

ATL Radio Talk Show/Camouflage Promotional

Hello All,

I have been away for sometime and for this I apologize. Book writing is very difficult when you don't have the luxury of going into seclusion. It has been hectic to say the least. For those of you that have been here to check out my blog, much appreciation. You won't be disappointed when Camouflage is done.

I wanted to share with everyone my recent activities as far as promotion for Camouflage. I was afforded the blessing of being able to not only talk about Camouflage, but also share my thoughts about my take on this current war with Avery and Karma on WATB 1420 AM, Atlanta talk radio last night. (The show is on every Friday night from 8:00 to 10:00 pm) I was very nervous to say the least. I am making this point because the realization came over me just how much controversy Camouflage is going to bring. I did hold back a great deal because not only didn't I want to give the contents away, but I became paralyzed when it finally sunk in that this book was going to carry an extremely large amount of controversy. I was both excited and afraid of the fallout.

Being as honest as I can be I have often wondered through my life's travels what my purpose was. Being a natural writer and thinker, I was plagued with drifting though life helping others and I was resentful of not being able to do what I needed to do for myself because I was not only bogged down, but even worried about helping others. I know that Camouflage will not only help people understand what goes on in the minds of soldiers, but it will also assist those that are considering joining if they share those same thoughts. It takes a very special person to be a soldier.

Coco (main character) was only 18 when she joined the Army back in 1986. The racial and sexist ills and woes that were confronting her still exist today, but not on the same level. The men that were soldiers back in 1986 were Vietnam Vets and they had very little tolerance for women in the military then. There is a bit more acceptance and tolerance of women in the military today. The mind of a women is needed in bringing about some form of balance in the US military and it is not uncommon in many other countries for women to be arm and arm with men in battle. In some countries it is both encouraged and expected. I am not saying it is a good thing because I don't support this war, but I will say that just like every other country we need to be able to DEFEND our freedoms. Not to be bullies, but to have a standing army for protection. I believe we need protection from our own government at times, but we need protection for the country just the same to be able to be as free as we are and continue to have such freedoms. Without war there would be no peace. It is just a shame we have to be entered into wars that don't make any sense and wars that are greed induced.

I hope you all enjoyed this blog and if nothing more picked up some jewels that you may be passed on or even debated. We are talking about it, but are we REALLY talking about it?

Thanks for reading! (Achives of the show will be available and posted soon)

Lena Brown