Nicole's Shoot

Had a hilarious photo shoot with Nicole while she was here. The longer into the night it went, the more laughing we did and less actual shooting. She's an amazing person, model and photographer. For more on our hot night check out the gallery of shots I took in the portraiture section of our website. highplainsphotographer.smugmug.com.

And Then There Were Two

I found an old blog I had back in 2005, its still functional. So I will from here-on-out limit my blogs on writing to that space and keep this space a photography-relevant blog. If you'd like to follow those ramblings of a mad-woman's journey into fiction check out The Dreams Catcher on blogger.

Grace Kelly

Twitter-mania

I've started tweeting, an indeed, my delusions of self-importance have sprouted and begun their climb. Sigh. You can find me on twitter as @highplainsphoto.

Things I've Learned As A Writer in 2010

I learned that 80% of my success has been my willingness and insatiable desire to master the CRAFT of writing novels. The other 20% is sheer latent talent.

I learned that I want this bad enough that I pray for it, ask for it, strive for it, research it, consume it, yearn for it and will one day embody greatness.

I learned that when I take the time to bang out an incredible outline, intricate and full-bodied that I leave my time and myself open to blossom in my prose. I've found my groove for the process and its so far been an incredibly fulfilling one.

I learned that given a year I can write compelling fiction, create characters that make me wheep, laugh and tingle, come up with mysteries/motives/plot twists that are unpredictable sometimes, predictable at others but always sensational.

I learned that other people that have and are writing novels professionally are normal people. With lives, families, stuff going on. The difference between them and me is that they've paid their dues already. They've sat down at the page and got it done. Had the guts to send it off and the even bigger guts of allowing themselves their success.

I learned a business model for your career is a good thing to have at the start, and not ten years into it when you're too busy writing on a deadline for money to come up with one.

I learned that I love doing this.

Yay for 2010

Double Duty Blog

I have as many interests as the next person. I shift like the winds, from one endeavor to the next. Trying to satisfy some hunger, fill a gap, spackle a hole inside of myself with whatever unique elements my various passions denote. I love photography, will continue to pursue photography. But my life doesn't begin and end there. And neither should this blog...an open window into my psyche and happenstance. As such I'm going to be working on a new design for the blog. I'll be sorting the posts into either Photography-related or Novel-writing related posts. I was a writer before a photographer. If I could pursue a career doing both, I'd be elated. From this point forwards I hope to paint this blog with a greater myriad of colors. Photography, writing, living. They are all forms of art. Each inspiring and creative with a potent ability to touch souls. People ask themselves, what am I here for? Why now, this time, this place, my flaws...my strengths? A little less asking, a little more doing. That's my advice for a more vibrant life. Hope you enjoy.

I've been working on restoring some of my families old photos. Some very old photos. While certain things like blue ghosting and mold damage are beyond my abilities I've been happy with the results I'm seeing overall. I attached a before and after here to share. While I'm not sure who this woman is, my guess would be she's my great-great-aunt.