Hiatus Ends

So ... I'm back after my lengthy hiatus. 
I've missed you all so very much. (Yes, that's wordy, but I've really missed you.) 

I'd like to thank each of you - especially our newer Alleywalkers - for sticking with me during my summer break. It's ALWAYS tough for me to veer away from anything I do, me being the over-achieving control freak that I am, but with writing it seems to be worse. Taking a vacation from the whole creative process of writing is like pinching a knot in my oxygen tank. Part of the sustenance for my existence is zapped. 
Saying that, shifting gears for a bit can be productive. Over the past two years, I've found it necessary. It leads me to write clearer and more efficiently. My creative head-space heats up dormant/lazy neurons and ignites a fire deep inside that's only squelched by mapping out stories and meeting new characters. 
I love my characters, have I ever told you that? 
Weaving them from the first stitch is my favorite element of the writing process. That's part of what I've been doing ~ creating characters for two new novels I'm going to write. One will most likely be YA. But the other cast of characters has decided to lead me to the New Adult realm. Initially, I was scared to death to enter that arena of literature: the age where one is actively living in the world, being part of the world, yet still trying to form his or her mark in it all. 
So, how exactly have I been creating those new characters? Well, that, as well as my decision to dive into writing for older readers will have to be for another post - actually a few posts that will cover:
~ anxiety upon return ~ fifty shades of this writer ~ reading stimulation ~ letting go ~ writing age ranges & what they mean ~ emotions that draw ~ creative character traits ~ writing exercises ~ head space treadmill
Previous commitments have already been made to a few authors over the next few weeks. I will, however, sporadically squeeze in each above post as I can.
Now, enough about moi. How did summer treat you?