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!

Ideas Flowing

I believe that writers get what some call writers block or writers constipation. I have moments like that. However, lately, I have been experiencing problems with so many ideas coming to me at once especially while I'm in the middle of working on a writing project. Most ideas come to me so fast that by the time I go to write them down, I've forgotten them. Sometimes it's a blessing, other times it becomes frustrating. The only way to look at it is that I still have ideas flowing-even if it's only a title for my next book. I find it refreshing to have an idea to write for my next book, which I am currently working on my newest novel that I had jotted ideas down over a year ago. I know how difficult it is for some people to come up with ideas, but you have to experience things in order to write stories, whether fiction, fantasy, memoir, etc.... Don't let something like writer's block, er, constipation get you down. Everyone who was meant to write had similar problems, but they took the reins and forged on. I am truly blessed to have so much going on in my noggin. You are too.

A Break From Your Creative Genius

I am curious as to what you do when you take break from your writing to get it back on track. Or to those non-writers who need a break from other projects that they may be working on. I, personally, like to take walks or read a book that I've been meaning to read. Also I love to watch shows on Investigation Discovery for more book ideas.  Please share your stress releases.

Some Great Information for Writers

I know that as a writer I am required to be aware on how to use and spell words. Therefore, when I  came upon an article I found on Yahoo, I had to share. It is a really great article. I realize that it says for business writing, however, I do believe that it also applies to writers. As writers, we do not want to turn readers off to our books. Here's the site: https://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/advisor/the-32-words-that-used-incorrectly-can-make-you-look-bad-161319699.html. Please read and take stock. Enjoy!