Networking

I read an article on MSN this week that dove into the topic of college graduates and their networking abilities, or lack there of really. It seemed that there was this idea that recent graduates did not feel that there was a need to network themselves. In giving this some thought, I grew concerned. I mean, if they aren't networking then who is? I work in a socio-economically school where the students I serve I do not typically have access to wi-fi and personal computer databases that would allow them to take advantage of this technology. It makes me sad, but at the same time to see that college graduates are not using technology makes me even sadder. My question I guess is then are college graduates not taking advantage of their "toolbox" because they are waiting or expecting things to happen for them? Or, is this the new wave of the future that "networking" as it has looked in the past is no longer necessary? Are there other avenues that are being utilized that the recent graduates know about that makes those of previous generations obselete? Food for thought.

Back to Work

Summer has been over for a few weeks for me now and it is back to work and routine. It is so hard to find time to write between actually being at work, kids being in school, being a mom, being a wife, grading papers, and sleep. Ugh, I saw a preview for that new Sarah Jessica Parker movie I don't know how she does it and I was like, yeah I get her. My head has about a zillion stories floating around and I dream up even more at night, but I can't seem to ever get disciplined enough to sit and put them down on paper. Perhaps that is why it took me years to actually get my first manuscript completed.

I have still been shopping it around, but haven't heard anything but sorry this project doesn't seem right for us at this time. I take it in stride.... I do want to say though, hey why not keep it until it is the right time... they probably wouldn't like that much though. I will continue to shop it up and see what might some day come out of it. When and if it does, it will be a nice surprise I'm sure.

When do any of you other writers seem to find the time? Is it something you have to schedule? Do you just let it happen? Do you run away to a retreat and hope the ideas flow once you are there? Any ideas at this point would be helpful.