Time for Reflection

I’ve had an interesting few months — not so much in the way of getting things done but more in the art of not doing anything. I’ve been working so hard this past year that I dug myself into the ground and forgot what exactly I was working toward. And when that happened, I just stopped.

I needed to pull back and look.

What am I doing that is taking away from what I want? What am I doing for others that is their goals and purposes rather than mine?

That may seem odd to you, but for me, I will truck along nicely until I take on too many things that are not really my goals but those of others. Sometimes I do it just to help, sometimes because I feel obligated and sometimes because at that moment, they seem like the right thing to do.

What I found was that there were a few things that I did want to see happen but I felt they were things that really were further into the future. Things that will be done but after…later when other things that need to be done first actually get done.

Unfortunately, my realization affected some other people. I had to announce what it was that I needed to do and let them know that some projects were hitting the back burner. No one seemed to be concerned about it too much so that was nice.

That was a little over two weeks ago. Now, I am finally getting my happy rhythm back. A little more is done each day toward what I want, but I’m not forgetting that there is more to life and I am working on enjoying the day to day challenges while also stopping and taking in the beautiful view around me.

My children are amazing and creative and lovely.

Better than the finest rose, my husband has a scent that can stop me in my tracks and snuggling with him gives me the calms. I must do that more.

~~**~~

Working full time, running a household, a publishing company, a writer’s group and trying to get novels written can really take you over if you don’t stop to take in the view of what you’re doing, where you’re going and what’s important.

I’m back on track and looking forward to sending out some royalty checks to some very deserving novelists, finishing up the edits to my Book 2 and getting them back to the editor and many other things that need to get done and I want to get done.

And of course, I will continue to watch my current ridiculous addiction of Teen Wolf, the epic Shannara Chronicles and Lucifer. Plus read whatever my book choice of the day is. And keep learning to ride a motorcycle.

And I will continue to look around and see the beauty in whatever I can.

Cheers!

P.S. On a completely non-related note, the soundtrack for the Assassin’s Creed is absolutely fantastic for whatever ails ye.

Wondering what to Blog about?

I think blogging is one of the coolest things ever.

You can share your successes, your woes, your finds, your loves, your adventures…need I go on? You can share anything. And there are going to be people out there who are interested. It’s mind blowing really. You can find someone else who has a similar interest or maybe just someone who makes you laugh. Sometimes I enjoy reading someone’s rants that are just damn witty and holy-shit-did-she-just-say-that?  Usually followed by I wish I was that funny.

My husband told me yesterday that I was pretty funny. He said I’ve been getting funnier over the years. That surprised me because I’ve never thought of myself as funny.  Especially when my husband makes me laugh regularly. Now that guy is funny. Although I am also easily entertained. For example; if Kimbo (my husband and no it’s not that Kimbo but the real one that is married to me) wants to make me laugh, all he has to do sing what the fox says. Fucking hilarious. I know, I’m like a child sometimes.

Back to what I was talking about. I tell the authors in my writers group to blog (that would be the Ink Slingers Guild in case you were wondering). I tell them that 1) they are authors and they can think of crap to write at the drop of a hat, that 2) they’re all talented and interesting, and 3) that blogs are fun. I see a lot of cringing and hear I don’t know what to say.

So again, I say, blogs can be about anything. I blog about shit that is interesting to me and if someone else likes it – then yay! We have an accord. (I love saying that.)

I LOVE to read. So I blog about stuff I’ve read. I also blog about writing/author stuff because I am that and it is interesting to me. Plus I blab about random stuff because we all have randomness.

One of my author friends has travelled all over the damn place. I am really looking forward to reading what she has to say. Looks at watch. Glances at friend. Frowns. Looks at watch again.

Maybe you have done nothing, been nowhere and all you do is knit all day. You probably think that you are the most boring thing since watching worms make their way across the drive way. But no.

Did you know that if you go to Google and search for yarn that there are over 31 million results? That means there are some other people interested in yarn and some posts on knitting would catch some interest. Or maybe your odd hobby of postcard exchanging (see # 5 postcrossing here: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/world-our-backyard/2013/jan/25/11-unusual-and-bizarre-hobbies/) isn’t so boring after all.

Everyone has something interesting to say. Come on, get it written. We want to see what you have to say.

Cheers!

Some artistic inspiration

Yesterday my writers group had our annual book release BBQ (celebrating our Anthology which I mention here). I always do a toast to everyone involved and this year I chose to read a bit from author Chuck Wendig’s blog:

“Don’t feel like you have to write just one thing. Write the things that make you twitch and smile and scream and clamp your teeth. Write those things to which your heart and soul respond. Write to your loves. Write to your fears.

Say things with your work. Make the words about something. About more than just what’s on the page.

When you have a novel you love and trust: seek an agent. Or self-publish. Choose a path and then choose the other path later down the line to mix it up. Seek diversity. Aim for potential and possibility.

Hell with the doubters.

Down with the haters.

If this is something you really want to do, do it.

Embrace the fear.

And write.

Good luck.”

You can find the entire post from Chuck here:

Thank you, Chuck for the inspiring words!

The Ink Slingers Guild presents our new book!!

Hi, all!

The anthology (book of short stories) that my writers group, the Ink Slingers Guild, has been slaving over for months is now released!! It’s called The Ink Slingers Guild presents INTO THE ABYSS!

Here’s the cover:

Here’s the description:

The Ink Slingers Guild is a group of like-minded individuals who come together for support and encouragement. Since its inception the Ink Slingers have continued to expand membership, filling their ranks with some of the best and brightest up and coming authors of our time.

This, the Ink Slinger’s second anthology, is aptly named Into the Abyss. As with the first anthology, Beyond the Threshold, this collection of short stories is based on one of the writing exercises done at every ISG meeting. The exercise is to have three members each pick one word. Members have five minutes to compose a story with the chosen words. As with any creative outlet, members take each other into new worlds the way only writers can.

The words that were chosen this year were: Gravity, Innocuous & Perilous.

Each story is a journey created just for you, so sit back and enjoy as the Ink Slingers welcome you Into the Abyss!

And you can get a copy by clicking here!

Buy it, Buy it, Buy it!! Help support these eleven writers (including moi!) and after you enjoy visiting our worlds, please post a review on Amazon! Thank you and cheers!!

New book out!

I can’t believe I didn’t post this right away – I think I was so shocked that I actually clicked the “Publish” button that I forgot to talk about it. I know some people talk up their releases like crazy but on this one it was more the ‘get it done and up’ and then hurry on to the next one. See, that was Book One. Book Two is about halfway written and when you reach the end of Book One, you’re going to want Book Two pretty quick (at least I sure hope so!) and so I need to work on it NOW.

I was so pleased to be able to call it a done and work on the next thing that it didn’t reach my blog.  So here is it!

Witching Hour Publishing  is proud to release “The Guardians” Book One of the Gargoyles Den series. Enjoy!

Happy New Year – Dream Big!

In light of the New Year, I thought I would say a few words. So many of us set goals for the new year and then give up half way, or more often give up after only three weeks or one or maybe in just a few days. Here are a few tips to make your goals a reality this year that have worked really well for me:

• Write them down. It seems so simple. You know what you want to get done, right? Why write them down. Well, first, get it on paper so that it’s brought into the world and out of your head. Second, it makes it easier to set completion targets. And lastly, because it just feels good. There is nothing like putting those goals down and actually see what you’re going to get done. It’s exciting!
• Set realistic goals. Saying that you’re going to make a million dollars this year without setting down the means to do that is pie in the sky. Sure, you can decide to do that but don’t forget that without winning the lottery, you need a plan to achieve that goal.
• Persist: to continue steadfast or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, etc. (Random House Dictionary 2012) Be persistent. Your goals will never be achieved while you’re watching TV, playing video games or hitting the bars. That doesn’t mean you can’t do anything fun, it means make sure you continue, on a regular basis, doing things to forward your goals. In 2012 I didn’t set lofty targets but I did note down that I wanted the first book in my Guardians Den series to be done and to the Editor, I wanted to get through the first draft of Book Two, start my own publishing company and publish the first book of short stories for my writers group. By persisting, I did all of those things except complete the first draft of Book Two. I got almost halfway through it though so I’m not sweating it. Make time to work on your dreams and use it to your full advantage.
• Don’t listen to the dream stealers, the evil critiquers, the pessimistic downers that you come across in life. If you ever find yourself doubting your abilities, your dreams and aspirations: STOP. You’ll get nowhere beating yourself up. Experience a set back? Keep going. This is key. Let NO ONE stop you. You are important and you can get or achieve what you want.
• This may not apply to you but if it does, I hope this helps. Does your day job get you down? What do you want to be when you grow up? Are you working to achieve that? If your J.O.B. is so horrible that you dread going on a regular basis, maybe it’s time to switch it up. You never know what may await you. Almost two years ago I realized I wasn’t enjoying the daily grind. One lunch break I was headed back to the office and I decided that it was time for a new game. Working for others was not what I wanted to do forever. I’m a writer, I want to do that all day long, but I also need to eat, keep a house over my head and keep the electric on while I get my words down for publishing. So I wanted something different. The very next day after making that decision, I ran into a friend who worked at a company who needed someone and I fit the bill. I interviewed the next day and was hired on the spot. After putting in my notice, two weeks later I was at the new company and it is everything a day job could be for me. Great people, fun work and caring bosses. My point is this, don’t sell yourself short and think that you have to be miserable during the day while working into the night creating what it is you really want to be doing. You can enjoy making the money you need to survive while continuing to create your future.

Every year around our anniversary, my husband and I sit down and list out our individual goals for the new year and a separate list for the whole family. Then we make plans to achieve those goals. It could be as simple as setting aside an amount of cash each week for a family outing or it could be agreeing that during certain times, Dad cooks so Mom can tuck away in the office and get a few thousand words out. Whatever it is, it’s always fun create time together and also gives opportunity to show our support for each other’s dreams.

Have a wonderful New Year – Dream big and often!