Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! The new year means reflection to me. Since September is more reflecting on goals, the new year is more of reflecting on me. My inner stuff. What makes me . . . me. I got into more of a slump at the end of the year with writing. Inspiration was lost and no writing was happening. Querying will do that, but I also had a hard time focusing on my characters. In fact, a new story surfaced, but my drive wasn't there. 

So, what am I doing to change it? Well, the manuscript that will have me forever stuck is still sitting, waiting for me to continue. Until the scene I need works it's way out of my brain, I'm going back to a very old manuscript that no one wants. I figure it will be a good exercise to work on something. And maybe it will allow new motivation to leak in. 

I'm actually plotting the new idea. Plotting before writing is foreign to me. It's uncomfortable, but I think for this story it is needed. The MC is a little shy, so I need to push her along. 

I'm also realizing where I fit. I'm beginning to think that my manuscripts may not be great material for the big houses. It's not that I've given up, it's just reality is slapping me in the face. I've been pushing for an agent for years with multiple manuscripts. I'm getting the hint that my stories are not for the big leagues. I'm regrouping and refocusing on where I should be in the publishing world. It's not easy, but I need to face reality. I've been writing forever, but focusing on writing to be published for nine years. There comes a point when you need to take a hint and refocus on where your material belongs. That's been the hardest lesson so far. 

I hope to blog more this year. I think it helps my brain. I've been a little hidden just because I'm trying to find my place again. I thought I knew, but I was mistaken. 

Anyway, what are your goals for you? Any news?

Have a great day!

New year, New you, New beginnings (reflection week)

At the beginning of every year, I sometimes think of how I want it to go. I do the same thing in September. Two points where I regroup and wonder. I know my long term goals, those remain unchanged, but what about now. How do I tackle the year with my life and where do I want to be at the end of it?

I mean, really, how can we create expectations that are out of our control? I know I can be repetitive with my topics and embarrass myself on a daily basis. I can be awkward and quiet or social and friendly. I like to please and hate it when people talk about me behind my back. Most of the time, I'm probably walking contradiction. Trust me, I'm not easy to be around.

The thing is--I'm thankful everyday. I'm thankful for my family and friends and my life. Especially those who put up with me. So this year, I will continue to look at things differently, challenge, and inspire. I will push myself and help others. I will keep an open mind and not let little things get under my skin.

I've already had some small changes happen and I'm thrilled to look ahead and let the past be the past.

Looking at the world with new eyes, trying something new, challenge yourself, meet someone new and treasure the ones you love--all of these add up to new beginnings, which can lead to a new you.

Obviously, this week has been about reflection.

So, what are you looking forward to this year?

Any goals?

Have a great day!

Get inspired

The new year. New expectations. New goals. It's funny how every year we set up big plans on January 1st. To me it gets overwhelming. Once I set these so called "goals" I sit back and think. Can I really do all of it? Sure that's the insecure nugget in me. Even though a huge part of me is uber confident and ready to take on the world. This overwhelming feeling leads to limited creativity. It's scary and uncomfortable. So, how do you get through it? How do you clear the fog that is slowing drifting over your land of imagination.

Here are a some thoughts:

1. Write it all down. Take a few items at a time and sit them front of you. Keep only a few at a time in view. Once something is done, cross it off then add more.

2. Set a schedule. Yep, I know the most difficult thing in the world. I know for me it isn't easy but I do it. I have to or nothing will get done. For me, when the kids are at school, it's time to write. This may take a while to figure out and I would suggest to try different options. Be prepared to move things around if need be. The point-- be flexible.

3. Exercise. This goes along with schedule. Fit it in now and it will become a part of this routine. Healthy body = healthy brain. Don't forget to eat right. Although, chocolate now and again is totally fine. Really, it's a  food group. Shhh. It's a secret food group.

4. Read. Helps you grow and inspire.

5. Critique. Read over someone else's work. It will help the writing muscle and you may learn something or teach someone something they didn't know.

6. Music. This is what I'm waiting for. Some new music to totally pull me into my ideas that are just sitting. To take them to the next level and make them a full blown novel.

7. Go to a new place. You don't have to take a full blown trip to Australia (although that would be fun). Walk out your front door. Now watch the animals, people, smell the air, feel the ground. Write down what you saw, in full detail. You'd be surprised what may develop.

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Plus, I know I've posted some similar before. I want to sit and it all come to me. I love those moments of clarity when I'm sucked into the world I create, but sometimes if you wait too long you may miss something else. It requires work just like everything else even if you're taking a break.

How do you get inspired in the new year?

Don't forget Monday is the last day to enter my CRACKED giveaway. Go here to enter. I also added the blurb to the post.

Have a great day!

Fun Facts Friday

This week was interesting. I'm glad to try and get back into a routine. I also learned that holding a blogfest in the New Year was not the smartest idea. Oh well, we will have fun with it anyway. :) I also changed my background. I'll leave it up for a while. See if I like it. I hope to add tabs at the top soon, to clean up the junk on the sidebar. Any advice on that would be most appreciated. My New Year is all about cleaning things out (this includes my house). With that said, here are the facts:

1. I saw a commercial for light soup. It basically told me that it would help me lose weight if I ate it. Right after the soup commercial was a commercial for chocolate. So much for that diet. Nothing like rubbing temptation in your face.

2. Another commercial I saw was for Pajama Jeans. I really thought it was a joke. A Saturday Night Live spoof. No joke, it was real. You want to see. Check out the site. I had a hard time uploading the video.

3. I will never do a renovation project to my house right after the holiday. Not fun. You would think, being a designer, that I would be excited. So not fun when you're doing your own house.

4. I'm actually not sure what happened over the past two weeks. Christmas and New Year's, it really happened?

5. Looking forward to summer.

6. Not much writing happened over the holidays. I'm super excited to get started again. MCs, from more stories than I can count, are talking at once. Wow, my brain is dizzy.

7. Missed blogging.

8. Missed my CPs.

9. Looking forward to a New Year, so much to learn and to write. Can you tell I'm really excited? I know I'm a dork.

10. I realized I can get a great workout while playing Just Dance for Kids on the Wii. Stop laughing. It's true.
This is all I had this week.

How was your week?


Back to your routine?

Have a wonderful weekend!

First Year Blogoversary

Well, the holidays are over. I hope everyone had a great break. Whew! It was fun, but I'm ready to get crackin'. So, here it is, my first year as a blogger. That's right. One year ago, I started this crazy gig. I met my first CP, Kelly, at a SCBWI Conference. She has been the best. I had no idea what I was doing. Both of us were "just starting" all this novel stuff, and she has helped me a ton. Thanks so much Kelly!

She also told me to start blogging. I definitely didn't know what I was getting myself into or what to expect. Many things have happened and, well, I've learned a lot. I didn't think I was ever interesting so I'm quite flattered all you blogger buddies are reading what I write. I even got to meet some of you in person. So fun. I've found wonderful critique partners, and people that are just plain awesome. The support has been amazing.Thank you! Yeah, you keep me going.

When I started, I finished what I thought was a first draft. I guess now it's sort of like a really detailed outline. I've re-written most of my WiP#1, but I'm happy where it's going. Sure I'm about to rip my hair out at times, but that's part of this whole thing. This journey. I've decided to share my current stats:

WiP#1 --working title: Lingering Souls (first draft/loose outline 87,000 words), re-writes/revisions 60,000 words

WiP#2--outlining

WiP#3--working title: Wrapping Paper currently outlining, 2500 words written.

Six other ideas just waiting.

With all this. I've had to learn how to critique, and how to take a critique (still not easy). I've had an agent tear my work apart, and I've had a senior editor tell me my idea and synopsis were cool, interesting and intriguing. This basically made my year, and pushed me to keep going. For every hit that knocked me down, I searched for something to pick me up. Becoming more positive is something I've had to work hard at (I'm natually a pessimist), and I've had to learn patience. That has been the hardest.

I started this blog like a horse racing towards the finish line. I was everywhere, wanting to know more, thinking I would be finished WiP#1 and query it in about 6 months. For a seasoned author, sure, but for me...no. I'm learning, I admit it. Plus, I have two kids, a hubs, and a household to run. I'm not complaining, I'm just statin' the facts here folks. I was in a hurry to do so many things that I realized I really need to take my time at this, if I don't, stupid mistakes happen.

So I'm ending my freshman year, happy. Like most freshman, I thought I knew it all, tried to rush through it, and possibly partied too hard. The wake up call was learning what it takes, and if I can take it. The answer-- I can, and I can't wait to keep going. It took me this long to pursue this, and I'm going to die trying.

Now that the New Year is here, I have some--ahem--goals/resolutions for my sophomore year:
1. To finish WiP#1--it's been almost two years since I started it, and I want it done. Thanks to all my CPs who have suffered through this.
2. Query WiP#1 in the fall. Don't laugh.
3. Work on WiP#3.Would love to finish the first draft. **fingers crossed**
4. Learn more.
5. Learn even more.
6. Read more than I did last year.
7. Figure out a schedule that works best for my writing.
8. Fit into that schedule some sort of exercise because I ate way too many cookies.
9. Comment more and update this blog. It's been too long.
10. Spend time with the family. I do this now, but it doesn't hurt to try and fit more time in.

Well, there it is. Sure, most of it may be a little above and beyond, but, hey, it's worth a shot.

Let's hear from you:

What are your goals this year?

Was Santa good to you?

Any tips on how to create an awesome writing schedule with family duties? (I'm always looking for advice on this.)

I have some exciting things coming up. Contest--of course. To be announced this next week. Also, another blogfest. This time Writing the Next Line blogfest. I will announce on Wednesday.
Thanks again to Frankie for hosting that awesome No Kiss Blogfest yesterday. I hope to read more entries today!

Have a wonderful day and thank you, thank you, thank you! Here's to 2011! *toasting my glass* Prost!