Staying Motivated...an Afterword

It's funny that I'm blogging about how to stay motivated when this has been such a tough week for me to stay on track! Between sick kids, other projects, and late nights, my entry for the Pikes Peak Writer's Contest hasn't been coming together. At least five times in the past three days, I've decided to give it up. I had lots of good reasons:

• Trying to make the postmark deadline (tomorrow!) is too stressful


• I can't rewrite three pages in two days!


• I need to spend time on other projects!


• I need to sleep


• I'm blocked....

And every time, after I'd decided to quit, I also decided to take one more look at the story...and, of course, that's when I'd make a little forward progress.

So...my thought for today is that maybe writing doesn't require us to stay motivated. It just requires us to keep trying a little more--and then the writing provides its own reward.

As for that entry? I have one! Actually, I have two versions of the same one. I gave them both to my kids and Zee Crazy Onion Gurl, but so far the vote is split. I don't think the entry is as good as last year's, but it's good enough to have a shot at placing. Even if it doesn't place, I'm really, really, really happy that I've made the deadline.

:) Cheryl

Staying Motivated: WRITING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

When I first started to write seriously (seriously meaning that I started to aim for publication; I wrote regularly for years before that,) I took several different online and correspondence classes that helped my writing to improve dramatically. Writers of all levels can benefit from the high-quality content and feedback that a structured class provides. Here are a few that I've explored:

1. Writer's Online Workshops (http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/): Sponsored by Writer's Digest books, this program offers a variety of courses on beginner to advanced topics. Years ago, I took the "Writing Effective Dialog" and "Creating Dynamic Characters" courses and found them extremely helpful. Pros: these courses are online (a plus for those of us with busy schedules,) competitively priced, and offer individual feedback from published authors. They also have great content, especially for beginning writers. Cons: the other writers in the class vary widely in both writing level and commitment, so the "group critique" aspect isn't always useful.



2. Institute for Children's Literature (http://www.theinstituteofchildrensliterature.com/): ICL offers, in my opinion, the best comprehensive course for children's writers. This course begins at an elementary level (some more experienced writers might find the first assignment a little TOO elementary) but quickly moves on to topics relevant to all levels. Pros: This course moves at your pace. It also pairs you with an instructor who best suits your needs. The price tag seems high, but for the amount of information and feedback provided, the per-lesson cost is extremely economical. Cons: This course can take a long time to complete if you have a particularly slow turn-around instructor. Some people don't like the non-fiction focus of the first few lessons--but, in my opinion, this focus is actually another of the course's pros. Some of us (like me) wouldn't have explored nonfiction writing without ICL. Nonfiction writing is easier to break into. It also provides beginning writers with valuable publishing credits and helps in the development of important writing skills. Besides, some of us discover that we enjoy writing nonfiction when forced to try it! Maybe it's the "try it, maybe you'll like it" routine applied to adults.



3. Highlights Foundation Chautauqua Workshop(http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/pages/current/chautauqua_top.html): Want an information-packed week with one-on-one feedback from established authors, editors, and writing instructors in a gorgeous, peaceful location? The only downside to this conference is its price tag--but the Highlights Foundation offers generous need- and merit-based scholarships every year, which help dedicated writers to attend. This event will keep you inspired for an entire year. I attended in 2005, and I still pull out my notes from various seminars. Pros: See above. Cons: Expense, plus a week-long event is a bit long for some writers.



4. Highlights Foundation Founders Workshops (http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/pages/current/founders_top.html): Although I haven't attended one of these personally, I've heard raving reports from those who have. Pros: Beautiful location, great studen/faculty ratio, excellent faculty, and most offer personal feedback on your WIP. This is also a great way to get insider information about how Highlights for Children works. Cons: They're a little expensive, which is why I haven't attended one yet!



5. SCBWI Conferences (http://www.scbwi.org/ for listings): The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' conferences are a great way to connect with fellow writers, meet industry professionals, study the craft of writing, and learn about marketing. Pros: Regional conferences mean that you won't have to travel clear across the country for a big-name venue. Also, many offer critiques and pitch sessions with industry professionals. These are a best bet for meeting local writers, getting inspired, and keeping up on craft--and usually the price tag is very reasonable. Cons: Some conferences are big enough that you can get lost in the crowd. One way to make connections is to volunteer.


6. Big Sur Writing Workshop (http://www.henrymiller.org/AFW2.html): This is another workshop I haven't attended, but keep hearing glowing reports about. I hope to attend next year's session! This workshop is a good bet for those farther along the writing path. Pros: Beautiful location, small workshop size, and one-on-one meetings with multiple industry professionals. You have to submit a writing sample in order to qualify, so this is not a workshop for absolute beginners; but you get to focus on that manuscript throughout the workshop. Great for someone looking to identify ways to take their writing to the next level. Cons: Price--a lot for one weekend. I won't be going until I can take the best advantage of the opportunity!


7. Anastasia Suen's Online Workshops (http://www.asuen.com/workshops.html): Anastasia Suen offers several classes for both fiction and nonfiction picture book writers, with a heavy emphasis on reading, reading, reading. I keep hearing rave reviews. Pros: Online intensive instruction, with personal feedback from a highly successful writer. Cons: These classes take a fair bit of time, so be prepared to fit several hours of homework into your weekly schedule.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. I stuck with courses and workshops that I or close friends have experienced. If you're interested in a face-to-face class, check with local SCBWI members for recommendations; I know, for example, of several great author-taught classes in my area. Or ask around one of the writing listserves for more online class recommendations. Margot Finke has a great article on Harold Underdown's site (http://www.underdown.org/mf_writing_help.htm) listing additional online courses, writing listserves, and writing websites.

Some people are ready for the greater commitment of time and money of an MFA program. Occasionally I drool over the literature for one of these, but they definitely don't fit into my current life! Explore the options, and you're sure to find something that works for you.

~Cheryl

Staying Motivated: Tips to Keep Going!

Aunt Kristina recently asked for tips on how the heck writers can keep motivated and keep trying to get published when we face rather daunting odds (and plenty of rejection along the way.) The process can be tough! I'll provide more details over the next few weeks, but here's a quick list of things that help keep me motivated:

1. Writing Classes


2. SCBWI/Writing Conferences


3. Critique Groups


4. Writing Books--Inspiration, Craft, and Writing Exercises


5. Multiple Projects, Multiple Genres


6. Writing Retreats


7. Motivational Tricks, Rewards, and Gimmicks :)


8. Writing some things that AREN'T for sale--Writing for me


9. Volunteering


10. Recharging: Reading, Resting, and Refilling


11. Having a Dedicated Reader (such as a husband, best friend, or a book-crazy kid--someone who will love your writing even if no one else will take a look at it)


12. Goals: Submitting, Submitting, Submitting

This is such a great topic. Thanks for the suggestion, AK!

~Cheryl

Thursday's thing to love...epiphanies, revisited

Warning: I'm about to state one of those obvious truths that recently hit me anew (hence the epiphany.)

Today's insight: excellent writing is more about content than quality. Put another way, what I say is more important than how I say it.

This hit me as I was rewriting another passage in Juggling the Keystone last night. The passage was polished and beautifully written--and still didn't work. It wasn't alive. It didn't pull me into the story.

I realized this was because I was writing about the wrong thing. I was focused on the events. The main character has just been teleported to a wizard's tower--an interesting even and interesting setting, but not the most important part of the scene. The important part is the main character's reaction. She's just had her world turned upside down and been whisked away to a wizard's tower. Instead of focusing on what she sees and hears and smells, I need to shift to what she thinks and feels emotionally. As soon as I began to do that, the scene began to pull together.

Now I need to finish that rewrite so I can submit it in the next seven days. Wow. If I do, that's what I'll be loving this time next week!

~Cheryl

Poodle Problems

I love the pets in my life. Really. But man, they can cause a lot of headaches!

Lily (inspirational poodle extraordinaire) is a very sweet, incredibly devoted (read--she follows me faithfully from room to room, no matter the time of day,) highly intelligent standard poodle. Yesterday, when I was walking her, her retractable leash slid across a metal sign. No more leash. This dog is hard on the leash and collar collection!


During the first year she lived with me, I faithfully spent training time with her almost every day. But...well, I got busy, and she was terrific at the training stuff, so she's gotten less training practice. She's still very sweet and fairy obedient, but I'm afraid she needs to go back on my daily list. She's starting to wonder if obedience is really in her best interest. Sigh.


She's good for me. Like my family, she makes me remember there's more to life than work. There's even (occasionally) more to life than writing!

~Cheryl

Anti-procrastination

I read an article recently in The Writer magazine that suggested keeping a writing "treadmill journal" to track writing progress. The concept is that a writer is like an athlete training for a marathon. We need to track our progress so that we know what's working and what isn't. I've been keeping this treadmill journal for about a week, and I admit it's been useful. It keeps me honest! When I plan to write for three hours, from 9-12, I'm more likely to notice when procrastination sneaks in. If it's 9:15 and I'm still checking e-mail, I can do something about it.

The unexpected benefit is that it keeps the problem areas in my work at the forefront of my mind. For ex., when I wanted to rework the second scene in chapter 1, I wrote down the specific scene and plot problem the day before. The scene tumbled through my head for the next 18 or so hours, until it was time for me to work on Juggling the Keystone again--and when I sat down, the words poured out. I'd been wrestling with the darned scene for 3 days!

So here's my daily anti-procrastination method, borrowed from "Want to be Productive? Start a 'treadmill' journal" in The Writer, April 2007:

1. Record the date and time.


2. Write down how long I plan to work. (Today: 5 hours)


3. Write down what I plan to work on. (Today: freelance story edit, eczema research, and a website rewrite/edit. If I'm lucky, I'll have a little time leftover for Ch. 2 of Juggling the Keystone, but freelance work is top of my list today.)


4. After I finish my writing time--Record how it went. (For ex., "Stuck on scene 2 transition" or "Fabulous!" or "Ouch. Need more sleep so I can keep my eyes open.")


5. Record my writing plan for the next day, including what I plan to work on, the amount of time I'll spend, and when writing is on my schedule.

Although I haven't stuck to it perfectly, I've found it helpful. It helps me to commit to a specific time--avoiding procrastination. It helps me to focus on a goal, so I don't get sidetracked (or procrastinate!) It also helps me to recognize successes and needs.

My favorite aspect of this practice, though, is that it keeps the writing top of my mind, so my subconscious continues to work on it even when I'm away from my pen and notebook. So...if procrastination strikes down your best writing time, you might want to give this technique a try!

~Cheryl

PS--Bad news for the day is that Windjammer--a line of small sailing vessels in the Caribbean--is going out of business. (That's the pic above.) Now, if you're looking for a way to procrastinate, I can't recommend anything better than a day on the Caribbean sea...but you can no longer procrastinate with Windjammer. Sigh.

On procrastination

Here's something I don't get: Why, since I love to write so much, do I take so long to get to it? From talking to other writer friends, I don't think I'm alone. When it's time to write, I have a tendency to check my e-mail, get a cup of coffee, check my bids for freelance work, check my interlibrary loan status, write another blog post , get another cup of coffee, light a candle, and then decide I should do yoga before I start writing. What's with that?

Here are my top ten procrastination snares:

1. Checking e-mail (and reading messages, and replying, and checking the weather....)


2. Bidding for freelance work


3. Coffee


4. Picking up stuff around the house


5. Cleaning the kitchen


6. Starting a quick load of laundry


7. Writing another blog post :)


8. Playing with the poodle


9. Excessive research


10. Re-reading what I've written
    
    
    My best writing days are when I plan a time beforehand--make an appointment with myself--and then stick with it. So. Gotta go--I have an important appointment on my calendar!
    
    ~Cheryl

Colorado Book Awards, Revisited

Remember how I was going to the Colorado Book Awards banquet day before last? Well, the bad news it that my friend, Hilari Bell, didn't win. (Although she's still a winner even to reach the banquet--she was one of the top 3 YA authors in the state this year.) The good news is that the woman who did win, Laura Resau, read a passage from her winning book What the Moon Saw and I have a new have-to-read book. I'm not sure how the judges choose between such excellent entries. Laura's writing was beautiful, evocative of another world and culture. Hilari's book, Forging the Sword, is the culmination of a fantasy trilogy in which the world, culture, and story are exquisitely drawn.

Personally, I bet I would have chosen Forging the Sword--but I'm a sucker for fantasy, and Hilari is one of my favorite fantasy authors.

If you're looking for a fun read, check out The Farsala Trilogy by Hilari Bell (Fall of a Kingdom, Rise of a Hero, and Forging the Sword.) The books are filled with surprising plot twists--the kind that you think about later and laugh aloud--and a believable clash between cultures. The three main characters come from different worlds of existence: one is the haughty daughter of the ruling class, one is common peddlar wounded in body and spirit, one is a noble's bastard son and trusted man-at-arms. When their country is invaded by a the mightiest military nation in the world, each of the three is challenged to do their best for their people. When they disagree about what, exactly, "best" means, things get interesting! Their stories intertwine as the story progresses, bringing together three very different people for a common purpose. Sort of.

Okies, I'm off to polish some pages!

~Cheryl

Thursday's thing to love...epiphany!

A few days ago, I zipped through the latest Stephanie Plum book by Janet Evanovich (adult mystery, not children's lit, but a fun read!)--and had an epiphany about my own writing.

An epiphany of the obvious, I guess, since it can be boiled down to this well-known writing mantra: SHOW DON'T TELL. If you've been studying the writing craft very long, you've heard this advice--but sometimes the application is less obvious.

In Lean Mean Thirteen, I noticed that Evanovich handled scene changes with minimal fuss. She skips from whatever's interesting at the end of one scene to something interesting at the start of the next scene. For ex:

"Nope. Gotta go. I have phone work to do."

***

Joe Morelli is my off-again, on-again boyfriend.


There are no stage directions, no extra words, nothing that's not important to the story. She does the same thing with dialog. Once she establishes who is speaking, she interrupts the dialog with few tags or description. Here's another ex:

"...or are you just making conversation?"
"I was thinking about the leftover spaghetti."
"Bob and I ate it for breakfast."
"In that case, I'll bring dinner," Morelli said. "Do you have a preference? Chinese? Pizza? Fried chicken?"
"Surprise me."

Here's where my epiphany came in. I was having trouble with the opening for my current WIP, Juggling the Keystone. It started with a scene description:

When the globe arced into Chirp’s juggling pattern, she thought it part of her act. Onlookers often tossed her oddments to juggle—potatoes, candlesticks, apples—which Sal batted into position for her. The cara-cat had even faster reflexes than Chirp’s. Soon he’d be too large to sit on her shoulder, which was a pity. With his golden fur and tufted ears, he attracted more notice than the juggling act. Few people had seen a real cara-cat.

...but it wasn't quite working and I wasn't sure why. Too much info? Not enough voice? Reading Evanovich's writing inspired the following change:

Watch for it!

Chirp had a half-breath’s warning before Sal’s claws tightened and his weight shifted on her shoulder. Then the cara-cat’s paw flashed and he batted a dark object into her juggling pattern. Chirp caught it—a cold globe, apple-sized and surprisingly heavy—and flipped it high. The other balls she sent into a tight, fast cascade beneath.

Instead of starting with scene description, I started IN the scene, with the action. Showing instead of telling. Huh. Sometimes I think that writers don't need NEW writing advice--we just need to keep practicing the tried-and-true pillars of the craft.

:) Cheryl

Colorado Book Awards!

Today's excitement (in the world of children's lit:) the Colorado Book Award winners will be announced tonight! I'll be seated at a table with a group of writing friends, rooting for friend and fellow group member (and one of my favorite writers) Hilari Bell, a finalist in the Young Adult category.

The YA finalists are:

• The Great Tree of Avalon: Book Three: The Eternal Flame by T.A. Barron, Philomel Books



• The Farsala Trilogy: Forging the Sword by Hilari Bell, Simon & Schuster



• What the Moon Saw by Laura Resau, Delacourte Books

Although I'm not fortunate enough to know all three authors personally, word around town has it that they're all wonderful people. I love knowing that no matter who wins, there will be celebration by all. Writers are a generous group. I'm glad to be part of tonight's excitement.

And I'll cheer especially loud if Forging the Sword takes the prize!

~Cheryl

You know you're a writer when...

1. You meet your child at the emergency room and (after you've ascertained that he's okay) you start to take mental notes about ER procedure in case one of your characters needs to go to the hospital.



2. You make a beautiful card for your sweetheart--and then realize it'd be a perfect craft for your favorite children's magazine.



3. You carry your notebook and pen on hikes, bike rides, runs, grocery shopping trips, and errands.



4. Occasionally, you scribble a great phrase on your palm because (horror!) you left your notebook behind.



5. When you go on vacation, you pack more books, pens, and notebooks than clothes.



6. In the middle of a big fight, you pause, thinking that you should note your physical reactions to use in that fight scene in your latest story.



7. When you're inspired by the beautiful fall foilage, you start experimenting with the use of synesthesia to describe the colors.



8. Your idea of a perfect afternoon involves a hammock, sunshine, and a pen and notebook.



9. You have personal pens. They are very, very important to you.



10. You use pens until they run out of ink on a regular basis.

Thursday's thing to love about being a writer (a bit late!)

Sorry for delay--but I have a new thought on what's to love as you start your week. This week's thing to love: dreams, especially dreams that relate to story.

I cultivate story-inspired dreams. I'm not the first to do so--Nancy Lamb espouses "creativity naps" in her book The Writers Guide to Crafting Stories for Children. When I'm stuck on a plot point; when my writing becomes stiff; when my characters stop sounding real--I'll find a cozy spot in the sun and lie down with pen and notebook in hand. (Well, okay, sometimes I hug the notebook like a teddy bear. To each their own....) The I close my eyes and daydream. I "play the movie" of the story I'm writing, backing up the scene a little and watching events unfold.

It's a wonderful tool. As I reach that magical place between sleeping and waking, I start to hear the characters take off on real conversations. That's when inspiration always hits, too: I'll be just about to drift off and I'll realize that, of course, Chirp shouldn't return to the stable but should wander the streets all night. Or--of course, Alex has tell Tad that the bear is real, which opens up that new subplot I needed.

Even if I don't get some grand plot revelation, I usually glean details about the scene's setting, its flow, and the the characters' movements and voices.

Of course, the best ones come just as I'm most relaxed, ready to melt into the sunny patch on my carpet--but writing is worth waking up. Usually!

~Cheryl

Working with Kids--Inspiration Galore!

Last week, I began volunteer work in my younger son's 4th grade classroom. I get to meet one-on-one with students and discuss their writing with them. My job is to help them narrow their topics and find areas where they can be more specific, show rather than tell, or add more details to their stories. It's a blast! I love connecting with these kids and, hopefully, helping them to get excited about writing.

It's also incredibly inspiring for my own writing. Each week, I get a first-hand glimpse into these kids' lives through their writing. Here are some of the things 4th-graders write about:

• Pokemon games (including which Pokemon they've collected, how they've evolved, and which are their favorites)


• An older brother who pulled someone down the stairs by her legs, and the tickle retaliation that ensued


• A "best trick" contest that involved jumping off the sofa into a gargantuan pillow pile


• A lost and found pet mouse


• A hose-squirting water battle that turned into a fist fight


• Sneaking down to the beach at a vacation house--and getting caught by parents


• A little sister who filled her swimsuit full of sand

Sometimes it's easy to forget that things that seem unimportant from our "grownup" viewpoints are big and real to kids. Kids are learning everything for the first time: how to solve problems, deal with lost pets, be best at something. They throw their whole hearts into life. Games, brothers, parents, fights--these are important.

I set out to help, and in return I've received a gift. Maybe that's the way life works.

:) Cheryl

Announcing a new blog element....

In case you haven't noticed, I've added a new section to this blog:

"What's on my desk: confessions of a writer with an over-abundance of projects..."

I'm not sure if I'm writing it for me--to help me keep track of my current writing priorities--or for you, dear reader, so you'll know you aren't alone if you're one of those people who tends to get caught up in a few too many projects simultaneously. I need to sort through them, occasionally, so I can choose which are the most important. Otherwise, I'd keep trying to do everything at the same time!

Hmm...that's one of the rules from a book I read last year about organizing strategies for those with ADD. EAST (Everything At the Same Time) is not usually best. Look, I learned something!

:) Cheryl

PS--I always wanted to say "dear reader!"

PPS--About the photo--it seemed an appropriate image to represent the writing life: it requires balance, perseverence, and a willingness to take risks. And it's a lot of fun!

The moments that makes my heart flip-flop...

Just received a request for a partial from one of the agencies I've queried. I haven't queried many--only five or so--so this is one of those agencies that rose to the top of my wish-list.

The Last Violin has been on the back burner in my life for months now: I've been working on freelance projects, a children's nonfiction book, a children's nonfiction article, a pile of craft articles, and the next novel, Juggling the Keystone. I thought I was nonchalant. Sigh. Guess it goes to show that my skin isn't completely toughened yet. I can't help a surge of hope/nausea whenever something like this happens.

Tomorrow it's back to the real world of waiting and moving on to other projects. But all who read this, please keep your fingers crossed for me!!

~Cheryl

Thursday's thing to love...other children's writers!

Although children's writing is my first love, I do quite a bit of non-children's writing. First, it's easier to find non-children's writing jobs, and second, they tend to pay a bit better. (Yes, even artists need to eat--or, at least, their families need to eat :).) But I don't write for grownups simply as a matter of necessity. Grownups are (usually) the ones who discover and invent interesting things, like computers that can talk directly to your brain and duck-billed dinosaurs with teeth. I have fun writing almost everything, even when the writing is for an adult audience.

But I have to love children's writers. In my experience, they're seldom writing for fame or money or ego--or even because they're among the blessed or cursed who can't help but write. Children's writers tend to write because they believe in something with a passion. Take my latest project: I had the opportunity to work with author Linda Hannah Young, a writer who has used her experience as a music teacher to write A Note for Children, a book that teaches musical notation to kids (available through http://www.lulu.com/.) This book is clearly a project from the heart--and those are the best kind.

Now, if only her book, A Note for Children, had been around when my own boys were learning to read music....

:) Cheryl

Lisa Findley leaves Random House

This came in from the Rocky Mountain SCBWI listserve today:

Lisa Findlay, Editor at Random House Books for Young Readers, is leaving publishing to pursue a teaching career. Although she's moving toMassachusetts, she's not leaving the children's book scene altogether. She's available for freelance editing if you want to contact her at lcf@...

(Some of you may remember that Lisa was a speaker at our 2003 FallConference--she was an Assitant Editor then and we were her firstconference. She did a great job and we're sorry to see her leave publishing but glad she'll still stay involved.)

I still have Lisa Findley's business card in my small collection of cards from editors I'd like to work with someday. She read the first page of my manuscript when it was in its early stages and was very encouraging...she was a delight. As our co-RA, Denise Vega, said: we're sorry to see her go. She was a perceptive and delightful person.

~Cheryl

Key to Writing and Happiness

I think I've figured it out--the key to writing and happiness, that is. Key, not keys, because I think the key to excellent writing and the key to happiness are the same: noticing the moments.

Sounds too simple, I know, but I think that the best things in life are simple. When am I happy? When I leave enough time in my schedule to have my head in the moment instead of in my to-do list. When do I garner the best material for my writing? When I leave enough mental space to notice all the warmth and beauty and surprises and tastes and sounds and ideas that come my way.

I've been thinking about this because I'm reading Under the Tuscan Sun, by Frances Mayes. I watched the movie a few years ago, which is why I resisted reading the book for so long. The book is so much more than the movie. The movie tried to capture the book's theme of taking chances and finding joy in the restoration of an old Italian villa; but that's not the the theme that speaks to me from the book.

Instead, I find it a story of a woman who discovered a place where she could see the world afresh. Mayes and her sweetheart bought a run-down house in Italy and remodeled it during the days and weeks they could leave behind their "real lives" and jobs in San Francisco. In Italy, they found a freedom to love working with their hands, building, creating something beautiful--all the things that would fight for time with "to-do" lists back home. They found time to rest, time to take daily walks into town to shop for fresh bread and produce.

I hear in her words an intense awareness of smells, sights, sounds, history, tastes; and I re-surface from reading more aware of the world around me. It makes me remember my happiest moments: hiking in the Rockies, surrounded by foxglove and marmots and chipmunks and Indian paintbrush; spending the night on top of my parents' camper in backwoods Pennsylvania, staying awake half the night to watch the Perseids fall like liquid light; curling up in my particularly-comfy armchair in front of the fireplace, when we lived in the mountains, with a cup of mint tea and a Mark Helprin book.

Noticing. I'm happy when I have space and time to notice the details of my world--it has little to do with events or weather or money and everything to do with paying attention to people and beauty and places. And when I notice those details, they bring my writing to life.

I say this as if the discovery is new, but the truth is that I've known all this for a while. I just forget frequently...so here's to remembering!

~Cheryl