Hey, Readers. It’s been a rather strange week. On Monday, my husband, brother, and I had to make a trip to the Dallas/Fort Worth area for a funeral. We left my brother’s house at 7:00, got to the outskirts of Dallas (about 80 miles) in an hour and fifteen minutes. From there it took another 1.25 hours to travel another 35-40 miles. Five lanes of freeway and bumper to bumper traffic.
Can I say I’m glad I don’t have to drive in that every day? Funny thing, a couple of weeks ago, I talked about Dallas rush hour in a post for Story Empire. Never dreamed I’d be in the middle of that mess so soon.
Needless to say, I came home exhausted and I’ve spent much of the week playing catch up. But on the drive home, I did capture a photo of some wispy white clouds.
Tomorrow is leap day, so take advantage to enjoy the extra day this year. And now, it’s time for this week’s links:
On this site:
On Story Empire:
- What is Your Style of Learning – Mae Clair
- Using the Five Senses: Smell – Me
- Dual Use of Meta Data: Reader Guides – P. H. Solomon
On Other Sites:
- How to Have Shocking Coffee With Your Lead Character – Kill Zone
- 5 Common Mental Traps That Stand Between You and Writing Success – Anne R. Allen
- How to Rewrite Your Whole Darn Book – Kill Zone
- 5 Mistakes to Avoid if You Want to Finish Your Book – Writers Helping Writers
- Think Small to Make Big Scenes Work – Kill Zone
- Fictional Character Profile Template – Just Publishing
- How Pitching a Novel is Like Being in the Secret Service – A Writer’s Path
- Do Your Stories Have Deeper Meanings – Jami Gold
- The Dangers of Chasing the Blockbuster Novel Dream – Fiction University
- Social Media Meltdown: Tackling Burnout (for Writers) – Writer Unboxed
- 5 Steps To Becoming A Superstar Self Editor – Writers in The Storm
Joan Hall 
I hate traffic like that, Joan. We are still having on-going power outages and our signals [traffic lights] go out. It causes terrible traffic jams. I have taken to listening to audio books while waiting. It makes it useful time instead of dead time.
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A good audiobook would have helped. I had the radio on but with two other people in the car, it was hard to listen.
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Yes, I sometimes have my kids in the car but they are easier to train to be quiet than husbands and siblings [wink].
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This is true! 🙂
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Welcome to Dallas traffic hell, Joan! If I had to drive in it every day I’d move back to Coleman! It’s been a whirlwind of a week!
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Can’t say that I blame you. I’ve lived in a small town too long to fight that mess every day.
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Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:
Time once again for Joan Hall’s Week in Review post, and as always, her collection of links is fantastic. Hope you’ll check out this post (including the gorgeous photo) and will discover some articles you’ll want to read, as well. And it goes without saying–though I’m saying it, anyway–please pass these along so others can enjoy them, too, thanks. And thanks, Joan, for another great recap! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks for sharing!
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Seems this past week has been a bit stressful for several of us. Your drive through traffic like that is my worst nightmare, Joan. I avoid interstates like the plague these days. I LOVE the beautiful sky in your photo, though, and your week’s collection of links are fabulous, as always. Sharing this on The Write Stuff, Facebook, and Twitter. Thanks!!
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It has been a week! I drive on an interstate every day but nothing like that mess. Here’s to a relaxing weekend and a better week next week.
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Sorry about your week, Joan. It does take a lot out you. Hope your weekend is better and I like those whispy clouds:)
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Thanks, Denise. The clouds were a bright spot in the day.
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Funerals and traffic are exhausting. I hope your weekend is more laid back.
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They are exhausting. I’m planning a relaxing weekend.
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I get so tense in the kind of traffic you described.
I’m glad the drive with those wispy white clouds was more relaxing.
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Sure wouldn’t want to do that every day. I’m too much of a small town girl.
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My daughter lives in a big city. I don’t know how she and her husband handle the traffic everyday! Thanks for all the helpful links.:-)
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I don’t think I could. Guess it’s what anyone is used to but I’ve lived in a small town too many years.
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Those long commutes are no fun. I don’t miss living in the big city for sure. Sorry your week was so tough, Joan. Hope you have a relaxing weekend 🙂
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Thanks, Harmony. I’m looking forward to the weekend.
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Sorry about the long and difficult week you had. I hope you have a restful weekend.
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Thanks, Staci. Planning for some relaxation but life often has other plans.
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