Not Giving Up When I Could Have

How did I come to write the way I do? Why do I write it? The answers are: My Grandfather (Papa) and the passion I have for writing.

I started out with the start of a children's book when I was in junior high. Following that I tried my hand at writing poetry. Not that it was a bad attempt since I was young, but I did make the effort. Then life happened. My Papa had fallen ill and I was helping my Grandmother (Grams) with him. So...I postponed writing my YA novel. After I turned 22, he had taken a turn for the worse and I was even busier. Between the time I was at the hospital and dealing with things for my Grams, I "didn't have time" to write. Instead of making time, I threw in the towel for awhile and hoped that I would someday write that novel. Two months later he passed and I fell into a deep depression while trying to hold my Grams together. Then somehow I managed to pull my act together and begin that novel. It was a sort of stress reliever. I enjoyed it. It made me feel good and gave me a confidence that I had never known.

Two years later my Great-Grandfather (Pee-Paw) was stricken with a cancer that had spread through his body. The doctors couldn't treat it. So we placed him in hospice. They were wonderful but it didn't take away my pain or stop me from doing things for Mee-Maw and Grams. Yet again...I was stuck tending to my Great-Grandma (Mee-Maw) AND Grams. Here we go again. I was never going to be able to write that novel through all this tragedy. I couldn't. There wasn't any time. My dreams were once again put on hold, but I didn't care...well...I did. I just had to set my feelings about writing to the side. When I wasn't writing it was like not being able to breathe. The timing was so terrible...like someone's dying can ever be timed accordingly. Right? Don't get me wrong. I love my Papa and Pee-Paw. I wasn't ready to lose someone else. Not after my Papa died. Through my grief all I could think about was writing. Why at such a devastating time? The reasoning: I wanted to be taken from reality for awhile.

After my Pee-Paw passed I buried myself in my full-time job as an activity assistant in a local nursing home by day and eventually writing at night. There was something therapeutic about writing and it brought me back to my family. During this time there was a nagging in my gut and heart that told me I had to write. For awhile I resisted. That's where the 'eventually writing at night' comes in. If I didn't write, I would stop breathing. It was something I had to do. Pee-Paw and Papa wouldn't want me to be like this. They would be so utterly disappointed in me if I gave up on my dream.

I persisted. Thank God I did. Now I have 3 self-published books and am working on my 4th and 5th. The passion for writing was instilled in me by the people I love. I learned to believe in me. It's the only way to pursue the goals I set for myself. I didn't give up when I could have said, "Screw it. I'm done." But I didn't. I fought my way through the pain and overcame what could've brought me down forever.

Remake Of Classics

I am upset. No. I'm downright angry. They are remaking the 80s cartoon Jem and the Holograms. It isn't anything like the cartoon. Why would they do that? Granted, the kids today won't remember the 80s version. The thought of them doing a remake of a great cartoon...well...it angers me. This is one of my favorite shows as a child. What are they thinking? No one can make it better than the original. First it's Footloose, Dirty Dancing, and now THIS? Come on people. Why can't you come up with something original? Are people running out of ideas? Where did the creativity go? This is one of the DUMBEST ideas I've ever heard of. Jem and the Holograms with no Misfits? Really? How can they do that to those of us who know what's going to be missing? I hate that people revert to things already done instead of coming up with new ideas. As a writer, the ideas never stop. Okay. I think all writers use others/things as a sounding board so to speak, but we don't do the same thing or try to change what's has been done previously. My heart is breaking. The series was one of my favorites. What's next? The remake of Gone With The Wind? Seriously people. Don't become directors if you can't be more creative. The new version of My Little Ponies is even more upsetting as that was one of my favorite cartoons back in the 80s. These Hollywood screen writers have given up on creativity. All of this is a pathetic attempt at bringing history back. If they want to bring cartoons to life, fine. Just do it the right way. Don't take out the highlights of the story. All of this is just so wrong.

Rant over...for now.

My Grandfather: The Reason I Became A Writer

When I was little, I would sit on my Grandfather's knee and listen to him tell stories that he would make up on a whim and giggle at them. His stories were never boring. It wasn't the stories I remember so much as his light-hearted humor and the love he had shown me. He was the one who always told me I could be anything I wanted to be. I took that to heart because I know he meant it. I have always put my best foot forward because of him. If I give up after a failure, I still feel to this day that I would disappoint him. He's the reason I keep going. Every time I write a novel, I put a part of him in my characters. I think my Papa was one of the most creative people I ever knew.

"Life is meant to be lived and do the things you enjoy the most." This is one of the many pieces of advice he gave me while I was growing up. So, I took it and have applied it to my life. Granted, I used to write a little poetry and children's stories here and there as a child, but it occurred to me after he passed away that I should develop upon my writing skills. Because of him, I have become the writer/author I want to be and want to continue to pursue my dreams. I want to keep bettering my journey as a writer and myself as a person. 

It truly is amazing how much one person can impact your life and want you to make it better not only for yourself, but for the people you love. I know I want to be happy and do what I'm passionate about so that those around me can know the same kind of happiness. I want to teach others that you can be happy by following your heart and your dreams. If I can be that kind of inspiration to others then I have fulfilled part of my goals. May you all be as blessed as I have been.

Summertime Anxiety

Wow! Its spring already. Amazing. I am so excited because there is so much to do outside this time of year (that's if its actually not so cold). Soon summer will be upon us. I'm having summer anxiety. Summer anxiety for me is waiting it for to come. We don't have to worry about the cold and don't have to wear layers and layers. Yep! Shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. Plus gardening and all the outdoor activities. I can't wait to go sit on my patio and read a book or go play putt-putt. Better yet, go to the lake house and relax by the lake while the summer heat beats down on my skin. While I sit there, I get to watch the sun reflecting off the water and the ripples that rock in slow motion. It's quite a relaxing time and gets me away from the stressors back home. Thank God I get to go almost every weekend. Its times like those that I can get away and clear my head so I can come back refreshed. It always clears my head to continue writing. Oh! Picnics. I love picnics in the park and taking walks in the park. Come on summer! We are all waiting for you to come. There's nothing like the outdoors to make you feel refreshed and ready for another day. What are you looking forward to doing this summer? What's your favorite thing about summer?

Rule to Life: Remember Yourself Despite How Busy Life Becomes

Hello to my followers. I am glad to be back. I'm sorry for the delay, but I've had to take a hiatus to deal with some personal issues. Over my sabbatical, I've learned how to deal with time management issues and am still learning. I am getting better, however. I'll tell you about being busy. No. I'm not a mother-yet. I work a full-time day job, am working on editing my 4th book, writing my 5th, took over as president of my writer's group, planning a workshop for my writer's group, working on getting speakers for the groups monthly meetings, taking care of my Great-Grandmother, am involved in a weight loss program, and working on promoting my 3rd book. Trust me. I know what being busy is like.

One thing I would like to say is that it is so important to find time for yourself. You should always prioritize what has to get done and what can wait. It will always be there tomorrow. Take half an hour to an hour to do something for yourself. That is so imperative. Be okay that life isn't perfect and that you won't get everything done in one day. We beat ourselves up over what we don't get done or don't do. STOP IT! I say this in the most loving way. Take a deep breath. It'll be all right. No one is perfect. No. I'm not a life coach, but I know what it is like to bring stress upon myself for absolutely no reason.

Prioritize the important things. There are things in life that are completely out of your control. It's okay. I'm still working on my own time management issues like trying to figure out how I'm going to get my book stuff and writer's group stuff done. One thing I will do is close my eyes, take a deep breath and relax. There's nothing you can't accomplish without a little discipline. It doesn't matter whether you are a writer, doctor, nurse, teacher, warehouse employee, city employee, etc. It only matters that you take care of yourself and work on life's time constraints into advantages for you. Like I said, I'm no life coach or anything like that. I only know what I've learned over the last few weeks. Remember to fit time in for yourself.

Paper Books versus Electronic Books

I've been thinking about the issue of paper versus electronic books. I know that it's a common thing, but can't help but wonder what's so great about electronic books. Personally, I prefer to have a paper book. Electronic books are like staring at a computer screen for too long and getting a headache afterwards (which, by the way, is the reason I write my books in a notebook before typing them up). Yes, I can say these things because I have tried to read off the kindle and nook and have gotten headaches from them. Even if that weren't true, I would prefer to have a paper book in my hands. I love the smell and feel of the books. That's why it's so frustrating when I try to buy a book that sounds interesting  to me on amazon or other sites that an author sets up for kindle only instead of selling them both ways for the customer to decide. Shouldn't readers' have the option to decide which way they prefer to read?

Yep! The Holidays are Upon Us!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is upon us again, Christmas not too much further afterward? It keeps me busy as well as everyone else I talk to. With all the turkey and stuffing (which, by the way, is making me drool) and the pretty Christmas lights, jingle bells, sleigh rides, trying to find the perfect gift and baking, we tend to forget ourselves and the true meaning of the holidays. Remind yourselves that it's about spending time with family and friends. Have fun, relax, and enjoy doing for others. That's what it's all about.. I intend to do so.

Sleepy Hollow T.V. Series

I just started watching Sleepy Hollow. I've only watched the first 3 episodes and am easily getting addicted. I think Ichabod Crane played by Tom Mison is adorable and would love to see more of him. The female sheriff, Abbie Mills played by Nicole Beharie is very sassy. I like that too. I am really digging the show. It has an element of humor and horror, but anyone who likes those things will like this show too. I am officially addicted to Sleepy Hollow. I would like to hear what others have to say about this amazing show. I'm not caught up to season 2 yet, but I will be.

Amazing Authors I've Discovered Through Writing Groups and Conferences

If anyone is interested in a couple of new authors, I've got a couple. First is Violet Patterson. She now has a new book out, Immortal Machinations. I have not read it yet, but I know she's an amazing author. Also, someone from my writers group who now has a book out. Carnival Charlatan by Skeeter Enright. Both books are available on amazon.com. Look them up and  I promise that you won't regret it. Also, Eva Pohler is an amazing author as well and available on amazon.



 

Working With An Editor Who Is Compatible

Hello readers and fellow writers. I received my book back from my editor and have been working really hard on fixing it before getting it back to him. This is the first time that I have worked with an editor and it has been a pleasant experience. He has very valid points to the mistakes. As he had said about his own work, and I quote, "My book, once completed, is perfect until it reaches my editors hands." As much as we want to believe that we can go self-publish without editing, it's never a good idea. Trust me, I know. I've done it with my first two books and haven't had much success with them. Looking back, I wish I would have found a compatible editor to look it over. However, I have learned from my mistakes. I know that editors are pricey, but you do whatever it takes if you want to succeed. Maybe you can find an editor who will accept payments. I don't, by any means, have a lot of money. Therefore, I am glad to have found an editor who works with me. It's not only about the prices, but one who is compatible with your needs. You have to find one who believes in your work as much as you do and I've found one who does. Sometimes you can find one in a writers group that you've joined (as I have). Make sure it's not someone who can be honest about your work, but one who wants to see you succeed as much as you want to. Good luck!