I think we get tested in our lives from time to time. I'm not sure by who, though I have an idea, but I personally believe ideas pop in our heads for bigger reasons than we know at the moment. I had a recent discussion with a friend who thinks brain waves are behind these thoughts/ideas that find their way to us. I think he explained they come from cells and neuron combustion or something crazy like that (he lost me).
But I think it's more than that.
Without getting crazy religious, I think God knows who we are...
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
And the Results are...
In my last post I was 'darn-near' close to finishing my manuscript (ms) and sending it off. I did finish (hip hip hooray!) and I want to share the next step.
1. Second Round of Edits Completed!
Yes, you read right. A couple weeks ago I finished the second round of edits on my ms. And yes, I celebrated. Maybe not as I thought (no booze...rats), but internally something grew. First and foremost, I consider that a success. I think when we consistently ignore those "nudges", we die a little inside. But it's too hard. I can't do that....
Friday, December 3, 2010
Dance like nobody is....writing....
You can probably tell that I'm nearing the end of my ms, since I'm not updating my blog as much and I'm MIA. Sorry about that, but I'm soooo close. Below is the latest!
My Writing/Editing Status
I started with this crazy wedding story idea back in April, during my writing class. Okay, in truth, it started more than five years ago when I was mailed an invite by Wedding Day Diamonds and Glamour Magazine. Why I got the invite, I will never know. Everyone was left scratching their heads at that one, but now I know it's part...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Balancing Act
Speaking of balancing act, I spent a portion of yesterday updating this blog, and then my two-page post disappeared on me. Grrr. I was ready to throw my computer out the window yesterday. Today is a new day. So let's try this again!
Life is getting busier, but when does it ever slow down? Is this when burnout occurs? If so, I'm in trouble. But who isn't feeling the pressure these days, right?
The latest and greatest in my life...in no particular order:
1. Getting through Second Round of Edits on my Book
Thank God for my chick-lit critique...
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
My Bro, Mike...The Guy Next Door
Most of you know I have two pretty cool brothers: Mike and Mark. Without them, I think I'd be a different person. Actually, I know I would. Thanks to them I learned to drive a stick (kind of). I developed a thick skin (bless my younger brother for making back-up beeper noises whenever I crossed paths with him in the hallway. Good thing round butts are in these days, right Mark?) Growing up with them, I discovered that men are simple creatures, and us women tend to complicate things by over thinking (at least I do). AND I recognized...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Amazing World of Social Networking
I used to hate Twitter. I didn't quite get it. Then one day this spring I started to play around with it and before I knew it, I was hooked. I started to like it more than Facebook. Twitter is simple. (And now I love Twitter so much I just had to add it in my manuscript.) Soon, I found a large group of aspiring writers through Twitter. Some had published books, others were in the editing phase and the rest were right in the same place as I was...the beginning stages. But no matter who I asked, most were willing to share whatever knowledge...
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Star Tribune Blog - What Do You Think Heaven is Like?
Here is my latest article posted on Star Tribune YourVoices online blog! I guess you can say I have been thinking a lot about heaven...
http://www.startribune.com/yourvoices/103829199.html?elr=KArks47cQiUdcOy_9cP3DiU47cQUU
"God puts each morning, each new chance of life into our hands as a gift to see what we'll do with it."
Tweet
...
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Dexter Has Taken Over My Life
Earlier this summer my husband Karl asked me if I wanted to start watching a new show. We were both sad our favorite show LOST was over for good. No more smoke monsters, Dharma Initiative and confusion for us. Part of me was okay to let go of LOST. After all, this meant I had more free time to write! And I did spend the summer writing, a lot. I finished my manuscript!
But then Karl brought up Dexter again a couple weeks ago. "Just one episode," he insisted, "if we don't like it, we won't ever have to watch it again."
Little...
Saturday, September 11, 2010
I Finished my FIRST Manuscript
I can't believe I haven't posted anything about finishing my manuscript yet. I'm in a bit of a walking coma to say the least. My eyes are completely fried after spending most of the day revising and editing my completed manuscript. There's that word again...completed.
Last Monday, I had finished the goal I set out to accomplish. I ended my manuscript at 297 pages, which seems absolutely nuts in my eyes. I can't believe I had that much...
Monday, September 6, 2010
Celebrating One Year
Enclosed is my latest article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It's sort of a recap of the adventure my husband and I had on our one-year wedding anniversary trip! Hope you enjoy!
http://www.startribune.com/yourvoices/102114779.html
Tweet
...
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
I'm back!
I know you guys missed me! Sorry I have been MIA (missing in action - for those who struggle with acronyms). If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you know I was on a fabulous one-year anniversary trip with my amazing husband, Karl. I will say I do not feel like I have been married for an entire year - I've had way too much fun! Below is the latest in my world in no particular order!
1. My amazing grandpa
My grandparent's car after...
Friday, August 6, 2010
Star Tribune Blog...Dreams DO come True!!!!!
My latest blog featured in Star Tribune YourVoices about following YOUR dreams!
http://www.startribune.com/yourvoices/100113989.html?elr=KArks47cQiUdcOy_9cP3DiU47cQUU
What are you waiting for? Chase after those dreams!
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.
- Gail Dev...
Monday, August 2, 2010
Writing is like Running a Marathon
I can't believe I made it to page 202 in my manuscript, Wanted: Groom for my $100k Wedding, this weekend!!! The most I have ever written in my life was a 60-page paper for a class my junior year in college. I procrastinated and gave myself two weeks to write it - my grade reflected how little time I spent on it. I was horrified.
Writing an entire book has always been a goal of mine. I minored in health in college and for one of my classes...
Friday, July 30, 2010
Christie Koester YourVoices Star Tribune Blogger!
Never a dull moment, is there? What a crazy week it’s been! More below.
1. Visit from the parents
It's Pete! Our family dog! We love him!!!
I swear I have the coolest parents ever. I know, I know. Everyone thinks they have the greatest parents and we all should feel special! We didn’t get to do too much considering our family dog, Pete, is on his last leg and can’t be left alone. Karl thinks he has many years ahead of him and just loves...
Friday, July 23, 2010
Dreams, Heaven, Annoyances and More
I often wonder how different my life would be if I were bored all the time. I frequently read Facebook postings that read, "I AM BORED". I don’t get it…
1. Interesting Dreams…
The other night I dreamt of twisters, bed bugs and winding stairs. I looked them up in my dream book. Bed bugs are a little odd to be dreaming of (though I did have them in Greece) and I’m hoping the meaning behind them isn’t true. Maybe this all has something to do...
Friday, July 16, 2010
A Case of the Fridays
This week was full of fun little adventures, so of course I must share my thoughts and speak my mind.
1. Our church has selected a new pastor. Karl and I haven't been to church in almost two months - this is a record for me (other than the four years I missed while in college). But Karl and I have been gone or busy with weddings since Memorial Day weekend. I will say it was nice to be back. I love my church friends and I don't know where I'd...
Friday, July 9, 2010
Friday Funday!
It's Friday! And we know what that means... Time to update the world on my crazy thoughts for the week!
1. Basilica Block party
I have never been but Karl and I were determined to go the minute we found out Weezer was going to be there. Karl is in the Weezer Fan Club, and has been since 1997. He's sort of infatuated with Weezer. As I type this, Karl's favorite Weezer t-shirt proudly hangs in his car so everyone can see how big of a fan he...
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Help Find a Cure - Ride for a Reason this Saturday!
Below is an article I wrote for Brooke (Palmer) Distad. I met Brooke my freshman year at Southwest State (SSU) in Marshall. We were family girls with boyfriends back home. We'd sit in class and count down the days until we could go back home. My town of Roscoe was an eight hour drive away and Kasson was around three for Brooke. Though we were at SSU on athletic scholarships, we struggled with our coach. Everyone did. We thought she was evil....
Friday, July 2, 2010
Weekly Friday Thoughts
1. Writing a Heartbreaking Article
I’m in the middle of writing an article for my friend Brooke. Brooke and I used to sit in Health and Wellness class freshman year, spending most of our time counting the days until we could go home to see our families. I played volleyball with Brooke for one year at Southwest State (Marshall, Minnesota). Then we played against each other when we both transferred out due to our evil coach. I was at UW-Whitewater...
Monday, June 28, 2010
New week - New Adventures!
I’m currently on chapter five of my book and am super proud of this!! My schedule hasn’t been that easy to manage lately, so the fact I’m prioritizing my writing, makes me really happy. I now have the science down behind cleaning toilets in two minutes or less. Dinners and lunches for the whole week need to be planned on Sundays (I’m too healthy to eat takeout or hot dogs and mac and cheese). My husband now handles dirty-dish duty if I’m cooking....
