work life – I Write

Blogging

So, I saw a little symbol on my blog that indicated that I’ve been active on WordPress for 6 years! Really?! It was hard to believe! I want to be proud of that, but with my lack of writing activity lately, I feel a bit undeserving of the trophy icon. Regardless, I want to thank any supporters (likes and followers) that I’ve had on this and my other site Enjoy in those 6 years.

Although it’s very hard to connect with each and every follower and liker, I wanted to mention that before I like and follow sites, I do go out and take a peek at what the site is about and if I jibe with it, then I reciprocate the like.

On another note, recently, I’ve followed quite a few fashion/beauty websites that I admire and I don’t necessarily have anything in common with, but I believe in what they’re doing and how they’re sharing their fashion/ beauty knowledge (of which I have none) and how they positively present their face and body.

Now, as for me and my writing goals, well, let’s just say I’ve not given up, and that I’ve been mostly busy, but keeping the “head-journal” going as I go about with the other things I do. I read somewhere that some people actually “write” a novel in their head long before typing out the words on the keyboard. I think I’m experiencing that kind of data collecting lately. It’s fun and freeing.

It’s late, so thanks again for stopping in. Have a good rest of your week.

~Peace.

What the ?

This will not be pretty, but I’m getting angry. Seriously, I’ve been sitting in front of my keyboard and draft after draft comes without me publishing. Lack of time is not the problem, even though this is true.

I mean, this is freakin’ ridiculous. Enough! But, I’ve dealt with this before, so I know the other is something deeper.

It’s not just in writing that this voice of doubt persists. It’s in other areas of my work that I hear this and enough is enough. I’m reaching out to higher powers for some help. I’ve had it.

That is all.

~Peace in your struggles.

So, yeah, our story

So, what I should mention about our story, Extraordinary Girl, which I began promoting (finally) is that you can read it for free for a about a week or so. And more importantly, if anyone reads it, we’d really appreciate some constructive criticism. It is a first novel, so we’re prepared for this, so no worries if you have some hard things to say. We can take it! (I think?)

Anyway, in the meantime, I’m reading (attempting to) All the Light We Can Not See by Anthony Dooer and thinking, okay, well now and being humbled as I read. I’m probably going to have to read it again for pleasure because right now, I’m kinda reading it as a writer and as far as style, tone and such, I like what I’m reading and I’m learning.

As a teacher, I say, there’s no better way to learn than to dig in to the meat of what you’re trying to learn. Speaking of, my “day job” of tutoring is calling my name and I need to work on that.

~Peace readers!

The Itch

I’m finally getting to the point of missing writing. I’d been busy doodling for the past month and now I feel my brain itching to begin a new story. I probably need to go over my notes from the class I took to begin the process a bit differently than the other story and hopefully to avoid the mismanagement of the many draftings, but we’ll see. That may be how I operate.

I’m running a tutoring business and staying organized is a challenge. After we move into our new place, I need to find a nook and keep it as a true home office.

That is my short update for today, hope all is well on your end.

~Peace friends.

Friday night

I’m taking a moment on a blustery Friday night here in Washington to say hello to my old friend, my blog. Hello!

So, the latest. I’ve submitted my story for a contest today. I was reminded by a fellow writer about today’s deadline and so I submitted it just hours ago!

It’s a bit crazy, but I felt the story, if not myself deserved it. I like my story and I suspect others could like it and if an agent could read it, then maybe they would see the promise in it.

I’ve been busy setting up a tutoring business and so I’ve not written much and just nearly missed this contest.

Anyway, that’s it. On other news which isn’t as good is I’m also busy getting ready to move. My husband and I have loved the house we’re in and the owners have decided to sell it. So, we must leave to find other roads to stomp on…but, some things remain the same and for that, I’m grateful.

AWOL

A-absent

W-worn out from Thanksgiving

O-overwhelmed

L-lazy

I hope that I’m not alone in neglecting my writing. Instead of wasting time writing about my excuses, I created a new acronym from an old one. So, you get the point.

I’m plenty thankful, grateful, and blessed. I realize others aren’t and it grieves me, but I continue to move ahead forward, smiling, hugging, giving, growing, and trying to ignore my desires to just waste away hours covered in warm blankets, pointless exploration of various social media sites and filling my body further with empty calories. Some days I succeed. The other days, I take a breath, whisper a thanks and again, move forward.

~Peace friends.

Keep going

You just gotta keep going. It doesn’t matter if you write a sentence, or a word. Or simply, just read what you wrote. But, put eyes on your work. That’s what I’ve learned so far. Life keeps happening full of appointments, texts, breaking news and chores. It doesn’t stop and so writer’s just learn to work around it. That’s what you do. That’s what all other people who have careers do.

A question I’m asking myself is: Is it harder for me to stay focused, motivated, on task because the work happens with little monetary reward? There is reward, but most of the victories before publishing happen in private, in your living room, or on a blog with virtual strangers.

Anyway, I haven’t worked for pay this school year (I’m a substitute teacher) and I’m learning to embrace the career I’ve chosen. The biggest thanks I would like to give for this opportunity goes to my loving, supportive husband. Thank you Phillip! I love you.

~Peace friends.

Unstuck

I think just saying that I was stuck unstuck me, or I just woke up with a fresh attitude. It doesn’t matter because I’ve created a somewhat schedule for myself and I’m going to attempt to do my job. That is, be a writer.

Yes, it’s time to pull out the novel and at least work on editing the first chapter. I won’t do it all day long, just a bit. Let’s see how that goes. My orchid bloomed and I’m going to take it as a sign of new birth, new beginnings, the sign of new things to come. Wanna see it? Go here. This is the plants second set of “children” and I did love those other blooms, but this one’s a beaut!

~Peace friends.

The whole day

Seriously, it took the whole day and two glasses of Pinot Grisio to get me in front of the screen to write. Oh, and a square inch of Theo’s dark chocolate. I could’ve eaten the whole bar, but I need to pace myself on the stuff, a slow steady supply is perfect for the soul.

Anyway, here I am and I facing some heavy reflections from my vaca. Here in lovely Seattle, where the air and water are fresh and the connections few, I have time to think, to sit, to ponder. I think that what is important fades to the background here, but it doesn’t disappear. It’s a constant on my heart and mind, the conversations, the interactions I had with the people I love. They don’t go away. I know and have learned what’s important in life. I’m one blessed individual to have been given a chance, again, not one chance, but multiple to figure it out.

Do I have it all figured out? H-e–l-l no! ~~(I’ve wanted to say that!)~~ I’m not saying that. I’m blessed, but I have obeyed the “voice”of God these days because I know I didn’t in my past. I was the queen of doing what I pleased. I was the quintessential brat. Spoiled in the “soul”way. I thought life revolved around my desires. I had to be shown I wasn’t all that. I had to be torn down to finally “see”. My life had to come crashing down around me in order for me to smell coffee brewing.

Do I know 100% what He wants from me in this life? No, I don’t. Do I have the answers to the problems of this world? Not even close. My gift isn’t intellect, nor especially insight. That isn’t what He’s given me. What He’s given me is mercy. I deserve punishment for ALL the wrong I have done and continue to do, but no, He continues to give me mercy and I’m just so grateful, so, so grateful.

But here’s the thing. I’m not special. I’m not favored. I believe His love is for everyone. Everyone is given the same as God gives me. His gifts are for all who choose to believe and who choose love.

What are you going to choose today? What voice are you obeying today? What has happened in your life to get your attention? What has happened that has made food unappealing and life scary? Are you wondering how you’ll live another day? Yeah, I’ve been there as well. I want you to know you’re not alone. I remember it well and won’t allow myself to forget it.