THE TRUE PATH OF A WRITER

A big *cheese* to all you father's out there. Happy post-Father's Day!! Hope yesterday treated you well. Could never have enough good mojo to hand out to our dads.


A special smooch goes out to my dad and of course my hubby, daddy to our offspring. You guys are my heroes. Luv.


Also a quick thank you to LM Preston who featured me as a spotlight party guest to her book release on her blog, release party site, and her website. It's my first official interview. Check it out if you have time.


On to today: I am here to motivate you. Yup, a combo: I Image Monday and Light Bulb Moment. Don't fret; it won't be too scawy.

Light Bulb Moment

THE TRUE PATH OF A WRITER

Last week, I started feeling restless. It'd been coming on for a few weeks. I knew the kids were off for the summer in less then a week, and I found myself stressing over it, trembling at the thought of their all-day presence getting in the way of my writing.


For me, there comes a time where my light bulb grows annoyed, and instead of blinking at me, it decides to smack me in the head. I can be dense and incredibly blind. 


Well, a two-by-four epiphany began to sneak through that restlessness I spoke of. I actually felt nauseous for awhile. (all good; don't worry.) I spent most of those days debating what needs to change, how to go about it, and took time to weigh my options.


I'm a goal setter by nature. I see what needs to be done; I devise a plan, and it gets done. Period. I was that way when I had set off to chase my dream of dancing professionally (which, if you're a newer Alleywalker, I veered from to stay home and care for my mom who developed MS). 


From the moment I decided to devote myself to writing seriously, I had a plan. The only element that wavered was time. I had no idea how long it would take to reach my goal of publication and a career.


I was fortunate to have one of my first stories receive H.M. (I've mentioned this before.), where others could see my short story. That was sweet but short lived. Nothing since. It didn't take me long to realize the world was much bigger than I'd imagined, even in my make believe worlds. I knew it would take lots of hard work, and I embraced the self-challenge with passion--which I have not lost; it's grown stronger.


When I began two years ago, I lent myself to every writing or publishing source I could find, wrote nonstop, and studied some aspect of writing each day. Increasing my vocabulary, grasping the elements to creating a fantastical adventure from arch to paragraph structure to dialog and voice, and discovering manuscript structures to agent desires and publishing were my main concerns.


Then I began to blog. 


And found all of you--my precious gems, who encourage me more than words.


I finally realize what has been bugging me. I feel like I'm chasing my tail, not able to give all I can because I've spread myself too thin. I not only have 2 blogs and 2 writing communities, but my studies, kids, home, hubby....All of which I ADORE. But something must give if I'm going to become all that I can be. I need more balance to afford me more focus on my manuscript, and preparing my query and synopsis.


So...drumroll please.....


Dah, dah, dah!!


I've decided to try a new schedule for the summer. If it works out well, maybe I'll keep it; maybe I won't. I'm cutting my posts to Monday-Wednesday-Friday, with an occasional post in between.


With that being said, I've come up with a tentative schedule for postings. Mondays will be for interviews and I Imagine Monday and Monday Exercises, and Fridays will be a freestyle full of surprises. Wednesdays will be special. I've decided to introduce one of my new characters to you through episodes I'll write weekly. She wants me to take her from her early beginnings before she wormed her way into my YA fantasy, paranormal romance. (not sure if all that is possible, but that's for another post.)  


So if this doesn't pan out, it's her fault. *grinning* Want to know her name? Come back next Wednesday, June 30th.

I Imagine Monday

MOTIVATING WORDS  

While I was writing my post for Oasis for YA yesterday, I realized I had a lot more to say on the subject of the sanctuary that we writers call words. I find lots of comfort--as well as frustration (shh...don't tell)--in words. There are words that move us, words that conjure images, and words that make us go yuck! Let's talk about a few.


Garble - a word used to confuse or corrupt. Maybe even to mislead.


Harbinger - an indication of the approach of something or someone. Maybe a storm or a shadow. (great word) 


Kitsch - tasteless, outlandish, often pretentious bad taste. 


Then there's some of my favorite words: descriptive words - guileless, trendy, impervious, ravishing (love this one), peevish. If you've ever read my work, you are more than away I tend to over describe everything. I'm learning to tone it down, but I just love imagery. 


One more - moxie, love this word. I almost can smell it. 


What words do you find comfort in?