Do What You Love

Why is it so hard to go back to work after a week off? Hell, it's hard going back after the night off. I suppose that's because there are nearly a million other things I'd rather be doing. There's writing, of course. Then there is playing with my horses, baking, scrubbing the toilets... The list of what I'd "rather" be doing goes on.

With the New Year looming, I'm forced to think again of what I really want to do when I grow up. I don't bother with resolutions. They're only good for about a week anyway. No, I need something life changing.

I've had a goal for the past, oh, I don't know - seven years - to quit my job and do something that makes me look forward to getting up in the morning. Over the years, that "something" has changed at least a handful of times. Fact is, I simply have too many interests. But, over the past few months, writing has taken center stage. It allows me to be whatever I want to be through the characters I develop. Plus, it's a perfect outlet for my overactive imagination. I'm always daydreaming anyway. Why not write about them?

Though most of my hobbies and interests rotate, I have a good feeling that writing is here to stay. If my love for it wasn't enough, knowing that people eagerly await my next book is enough to keep me going. I may never become world famous, but I'm a success in their eyes and that's what counts.

Writing Contests!

Okay, I did it. I entered both of the contests I mentioned in last week's post. Winners will be announced January 15th, 2016 for the NEOVERSE Short Story Contest and the other one won't be announced until the end of February. I don't know how I'm going to survive waiting that long. I suppose I'll just have to keep writing to take my mind off.

Diving head first into my distraction, I wrote another short story. It's loosely based on the first creative writing project I wrote back in my early days of college. Good lord that seems like ages ago! I lost the original paper, but the story's concept stuck with me all theses years. I'd like to think my memory is a steel trap, but alas, a few have leaked out over the years. As a result, I couldn't remember the original story - just the premise. So, I wrote an entirely new one with the same theme.

The message of the story is pretty powerful. In fact, it gave my husband a scare when he read it. He thought I was trying to convey something to him, haha! I reassured him (I hope) that it was, in fact, just a story. It did teach me something though. Some of my stories may need to come with a warning label!

Well, wish me luck with the contests!

I'd Rather Be Writing

It's difficult sometimes when all I really want to do is write, but life keeps pulling me in every direction. With Christmas just around the corner, that's not likely to change anytime soon. With all of the distractions, I had a little bought of writers block. But, things are finally starting to come together now and I'm getting excited about my second book.

In addition to working on Full Bloom, I've been dabbling in flash fiction. What's flash fiction? Well, it's not a guy with fantasy novels strapped to the inside of his trench coat. It is a really short (aka short short) story, typically 1500 words or less. This sounds easy, but you have to tell a complete story in what averages out to be two pages (unless you use a lot of little words or several really big ones).

Once I got the hang of it though, I thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I just might be addicted. While it has helped tremendously in getting my creative juices flowing, it has stolen me away from what should be my main focus right now... finishing my second book.

I also wrote a short story for a competition I'm considering entering. The requirement for that one is 5000 words or less. After writing flash fiction, 5000 words seemed daunting. I wasn't sure I could write a long enough story. But, in the end, I had to edit just to stay under the max. I didn't see that one coming.

So, there are two contests I have my eye on. The WOW - Woman on Writing Flash Fiction Contest, and the NEOVERSE Short Story Writing Competition. I've never entered a writing contest before, so this has been a nerve racking process for me. With one of the entry deadlines coming up in less than a week, I'd better make up my mind soon.

A Voice for My Imagination

It's amazing the world that writing has opened up for me. I'm not saying I'm a world famous or award winning author (not yet anyway). I'm simply refering to the voice that writing has lent my imagination. For the first time in my life, I can actually put into words things that were only images (and, yes, voices) in my head.

Since I finally worked up the courage to self-publish my book Flower Child back in October, I've learned to push myself like I've never pushed before. I'm no longer afraid to put myself out there. Okay, that's not entirely true. I do get nervous... a lot. But, I no longer allow my fears to cripple me. And believe me, as a writer, this is essential. Not everyone is going to like what I write, and, sometimes their comments will sting. The trick is to remind myself why I'm taking up the pen (or keyboard) each day. Because it's what I love!

This blog is my journey as I discover the in's and out's of a writer's life. I hope to contribute new posts regularly, but if I'm missing for a while, it's not because I've stopped writing. That would be the same as not breathing and I rather like breathing . I hope you come along for the ride. Who knows, maybe something I say or do will inspire you to try something new. Plus, there's bound to be a lesson or two on what "not" to do as well.