I'm there.

So today is sort of a mixed bag of stuff.

On Saturday, I attended PAYA and PLN. Both were so much fun. I got to meet some new authors and catch up with others I haven't seen in a while. These events are great to get out and socialize. I have to say, I've been caught up with life and sort of isolated myself for various reasons. I had some thinking to do and am really trying to find my writerly self again. It feels good and I think I'm there. What do I mean? I'm at that place where I'm comfortable. I'm comfortable with my progress and how I do things. I write slow and I'm okay with it. It's my way. I'm okay with my process of writing. Really, it's not normal, but then again, what is.

I also have few links you need to check out.
1.Overtelling, Overshowing, Overselling by Jane Lebak

2. What Hollywood Will Tell You  (by the lovely Stina Lindenblatt)

3. When Life gives you Lemons by Danyelle Leafty

Some good things will be coming up. So stay tuned.

Any news? How's your progress?

What's your favorite summertime treat? I know that's random, but it's Monday and it's raining here, so yes, I'm random.

Have a great day!!

Closing Summer

I'm back. Right now, I'm going to post at least once a week. When school starts, I'll be back in full swing.

Summer is coming to a close. I love summer, but I also like a more structured schedule so with September coming . . . yes, I'm wearing a happy face. It's funny because this is the time I reflect. Most people (including me sometimes) think that January is the time to make goals and resolutions. For some reason, it also happens in September for me. I guess it's like a new school year for me. New schedule, new outlook, I'm excited and I'm ready to work. I can see clearly. In January, I'm in a fog of Christmas lights and bloated full of sweets so usually my resolution is to lose weight.

Maybe it's the change of season too. Who knows. All I know is I'm back and ready. So what have I been doing--traveling, writing, spending time with family, and querying. Not necessarily in that order. I also attended WriteOnCon. Simply awesome. I was able to post some stuff in the forums and got great feedback from other writers.

I'm writing something new and feels awesome. I plan to learn lots more by attending a conference and maybe a few classes. I guess the thing is--I'm feeling more prepared and less scared. I know I can get there if I just keep learning and doing.

So, with that said, what are your goals?

How was your summer?

If you are in the West Chester area this weekend, go to PAYA--simply awesome. Lots of great authors to meet. And if you stay in West Chester for dinner, Philly Lit is meeting at Iron Hill Brewery (great brewery--I'm  not biased or anything). Fun things happen at Philly Lit so don't miss it.

Have a great day!!!

WriteOnCon

I'm back, well, sort of. I can't guarantee a blog schedule yet. September, my friends, September. You can feel my giddy happiness. Yes, I love my kids, but when school is in session it's . . .dare I say it, blissful.

Anywho, I popped in to remind you that WriteOnCon is next week. The writing forums are open now if you want to get some feedback on your pieces before the Ninja Agents wander through. You can polish up your babies with some great feedback. You can also check out the schedule of events. There are lots of good ones.

So what are you waiting for. Go on over. WriteOnCon.

Like I said, I will have more of a schedule in September. I'm trying to write my first draft of my new novel (I hit 21K!!), polish up my current query, and while I'm at it, write another query for another novel I have to revise. Crazy? Maybe. But it's flowing and when I'm in that mode, there's no stopping me.

How's your summer?

Have a great day!!

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for organizing and hosting this event every month. Go to Alex's blog to see the other participants.

So, I've been away, taking a hiatus if you will. I've been doing a lot of thinking and trying to write. I'm trying. When I get a moment, I open the doc I've been working on and read it, then try to add. I just don't have that feeling I had when I started it. I like what I wrote, but that giddy feeling you get in your chest when you write something new is not there. I know it will be back. I'm focusing on strengthening my craft and soaking up my actual strengths. I've also been looking back.

Yep, looking back. Not dwelling on the the past, ya know, whoa-is-me stuff. I'm talking about how far you've come. Go ahead bring up your very first draft. Seriously. Yes, scary, but read the first page. I'll wait a sec. Now, bring up your latest draft. Go on.

I see your mouth drop, and your eyes turn into huge saucers. That is called growth. Focus on it. Yes, there is a billion pages of internet that throw info at you--showing successes and failures, and to be honest, it can overwhelm you. It can make you feel small and inadequate. Throw in rejection after rejection and you're beat up like you've taken 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.

Looking back and reading your success can give you power. It can make you love what you do. It's why you do it. Hold on to your strengths. Use them as your light through the dark tunnel of your journey. They can guide you through the hard times and help you power up your weaknesses.

Have you taken a moment to see how far you've come?

I hoping to be back in a couple of weeks. I still need a little time to sort some things. I'm working hard and hopefully will be back to full speed. I'm hoping to finish a first draft by the end of September and start revising another novel to prep it for querying.

How is everyone?

Have a great day!

A brief note about WRiTE CLUB

How's every one's summer going? I can't believe how fast it's flying by and I sort of can't wait to get back onto a solid schedule. So far, summer has been good, but my writing has been just going. I'm not sure I'll meet my goal, but I'm working on it.

The thing about summer is your brain may go on a little vacation. It's fine. The brain needs a break now and again, but I see September approaching and I'm ready to dig into some hard core writing. So how about a warm up. Ya know, get those gears turning. There's a little competition going on and it sounds awesome.

Some of you may have participated last year and for some of you this may be new. DL Hammons is hosting (Thanks DL, this is amazing), and wait till you see the final judges.

That's right--WRiTE CLUB. I love the whole idea. Write 500 words and submit. And it's anonymous. See . . . it's a win/win. Each week two submissions go head to head until there are two, then the final judges pick a winner. Like I said, the final judges are amazing.

So, why are you still reading this? Go and check it out!!! You have nothing to lose.

Go here to sign up and read the official rules.

Good luck!!

I'll be back on a regular schedule soon!!

Have fun and happy writing!!

Insecure Writer's Support Group

I almost forgot about this. So, after this post I may be on a hiatus. Anyway, thanks to the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh for putting this whole thing together. Go check out the other participants.

Like I said the other day, I have nothing new to say about my writing. I'm writing and learning and well, it just goes on. Queries come and queries go. Lessons learned. It's been beating me hard, but I'm trying not to let it get to me. One thing I do know is I sometimes do things in a complex way and I pick the hardest way to go.

Here's what I mean:

-For my first novel, I decided to write it from two POVs. One from a girl and one from a guy. I couldn't just write my first novel from one? No, my brain takes the most difficult route. Hey, and throw in scifi and souls. Why not?

-I write out of order.

-For my current novel, I decided to have my main character slide into the body of another person. Easy right? Ha. Now, I must figure how to write this from the main character's POV while the other body goes about her day.

See what I mean. Complicated, but challenging. That's what I keep doing to myself. I'm challenging myself to it. I don't take baby steps, I jump in and take it all on. It's funny because through most of my life, I turned away from anything that was super hard. I might have given up on things or even just never tried, but with writing, it's weird, I go for it. Sometimes without even realizing it.

Do I fail? Yeah. Lots. But as hard as it is it's the only way I know how to go. I think it's the only way I learn.

Have you challenged yourself lately?

Have a great 4th of July!!

-

Summer

Oh summer, I do love this season, but I never realized how busy I am. I will be taking a short hiatus. Things are quite hectic here, and every chance I get, I'm writing. These characters are at the point where they are screaming at me.

I may pop in for a post, but I can't guarentee my normal schedule till mid-July or mid-August. Don't think I'm not dropping in on you folks. I will be scanning the blog roll.

Plus, my life in the writing world is not all that exciting. I'm working hard and still hoping for something to present a positive light. I just keep telling myself--one day, one day, keep writing. A little frustrating, but I'm working through it.  

If you are in the West Chester area August 25th come to PAYA. Check out the line up. It's awesome. Also, PLN will be meeting up the same day in West Chester too. Double win. I'll have more info on PLN closer to the date.

Happy Fourth of July and happy writing.

What's new with you?

Have a great day!