LOOKING BACK

July 25, 2012 By

When my children were young I was always saying I couldn’t wait until they grew up. I imagined all the free time I was going to have to do my thing. Writing, reading and just lying on the couch eating Oreo Cookies. Not to mention all the extra money I would have since I didn’t have to take regular trips to Toys”R”Us or buy them a whole new wardrobe every school year. I relished the idea of sleeping late on Saturday mornings without having cartoons blaring in my ears. The teenage bickering over curfews, car usage and parental guidance rating on movies would all be behind me.  Hallelujah.

 

But it turns out I could’ve waited. Much longer. Sometimes I miss them so much it’s unbearable. I miss the fun we had together fighting the waves on the beach, or the thrill of riding crazy attractions at amusement parks or hearing them go through the Christmas catalogues picking out all the things they wanted Santa to bring them. I even miss the disagreements, the trips to the toy store and preparing for school.  I miss it all.

It’s funny how life can turn on you. If only I knew then what I know now I would have held my children tighter, listened to their stories with more enthusiasm and enjoyed those morning cartoons on the floor alongside them. I don’t think I could have loved them with any more fieriness than I do already. But I would have cherished every moment like it was golden. Because it was.

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THE ARTIST IN ME

July 12, 2012 By

I am an artist and I always have been. When I was young a new coloring book and crayons could keep me busy for hours. I remember taking my time and trying to make each page a piece of art.

 

After grade school I graduated from coloring books to drawing, with scads of paper everywhere. Each drawing came with a story.  There was a point during my adolescent years that I papered my bedroom wall with characters and made up intensely fulfilling lives for each one of them.  Thinking back on it now, they were couples, maybe ten or fifteen of them. Even then I must have known I had a passion for writing romance and women’s fiction.

I’ve dabbled in oils and acrylics paints.  At one time, I fashioned myself a painter.  I had the easel and the coffee can full of paint brushes. But now my canvases are stored in the basement collecting dust. I had a stint with ceramics and or course my first love, writing.

There are probably hundreds of ways to demonstrate artistic expression. These were just a few of mine.  Like writing they brought me a sense of calm and joy. My artistic work provides an outlet for the stuff cramming for attention in my brain.   It allows me to produce something that only I can, my signature in a way.

I venture that everyone has a way of expressing themselves in some unique method. Whether it’s writing something, building something, baking something or playing something, there’s an artist in you, too.

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SIMPLY SUMMER

June 20, 2012 By

Summer is exactly 93 days long. That should be enough time for me to accomplish everything on my summer ‘to do’ list.

There are books I have to read. Like ‘Spring Fever’ by Mary Kay Andrews, and ‘The Next Best Thing’ by Jennifer Weiner, and ‘Time Off For Good Behavior’ by Lani Diane Rich and anything by Linwood Barclay.  These books are on my immediate list.  There are even more books waiting in the queue.

I have places that are calling my name, cool, blue waters, sandy beaches, lush national parks with giant trees and of course my easy chair is waiting on me to snuggle up and take a nap.

 

 

 

Summer is not complete until I’ve had some tasty food, like brownies from the Fat Witch, a good platter of Nachos and some delectable seafood. Oh let’s throw in some funnel cake for good measure. Yum!

 

I plan to laugh with friends, reminisce with family and enjoy every warm, sunny, humid day of summer, because before I know it, the leaves will wither and fall from the trees. Snow will pile up at my door and I’ll have to go find my mittens.

 

Summer is here, what do you have planned?

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THE RACE BEGINS

May 27, 2012 By

It just dawned on me the other day that receiving a publishing contract was only the beginning for me. Now the hard work begins.

 

Added to my daily creative schedule, I have to make time to investigate promotional opportunities as well as pick up my writing pace.  I need to develop stories and write them at a faster pace than the one I enjoyed as an unpublished writer.

 

Writers share a common characteristic with other creative individuals. In order to stay relevant you’ve got to continue to produce. Now I know why singers like Beyoncé and Adele often have two or three songs playing on the radio at once or why film stars do two movies a year.  The public can be demanding. Take a nap and they move on to the next best thing waiting to step into your place.

So while I’m excited about my first offer, I can’t sit back and claim victory. I need to work even harder to build my brand, produce a backlist and understand the industry

I used to think that getting the call from a publisher was akin to crossing the finish line. A place where I would jump around, be happy and marvel in my accomplishment.  Of course I did all those things.  But I also realize it was more like the beginning of the race-the sounding shot.  There is no finish line, that place where I slap myself on the back for a job well done and then take a seat..

 

If I’m lucky and blessed, this is a continuum.  I get do this for as long as I want.  What could be better?

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I GOT THE CALL

May 5, 2012 By

 

 

Earlier this week I posted a saying on my web site from the Reverend James Cleveland – “A Delay is not a Denial’. The minute I saw this comment it resonated with me.  As a writer, struggling towards publication, I had to learn to accept rejection.  It’s part of the process.  Overcoming the disappointment and continuing to pursue my goal took an amazing amount of courage and tenacity. There were times when I wondered if it was worth it.  Instead of hovering over my desk, writing, I could have curled up on the sofa with a bag of cookies and watched reruns on television.

This week I found the true meaning of Delay does not mean denial.  I received a call from an editor who wants to publish one of my manuscripts.  I have been grinning since getting that joyous call. After so many years and so many roadblocks, this moment is pure magic. (YEAH!)

While working towards this goal, delays tried to hinder my momentum. Real life stuff got in the way, work sometimes slowed me down and other times uncertainty  caused me to pause.  But none of that meant my dream was denied.  I still have a long way to go before I see my name on the New York Times bestsellers list.  This is only the beginning for me.  How about you? Are you waiting on something?

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FOLLOW THE LEADER

April 12, 2012 By

It’s time to follow the leader, but only if that leader is you. Only you can direct your soul to true happiness.

Over the Easter holiday I had an urge to dye eggs.  Without a single person in my house under the age of ten, it seemed like a ridiculous pursuit. Memories of dunking eggs in brightly colored water and drawing crude or exotic designs on them would not leave me alone.  I even asked several people if they were dyeing eggs.  I intended to invite myself to their festivities.  No luck.  When the urge would not dissipate, I finally listened to my true leader.  Me.  I followed my heart and threw my own Egg-Dyeing Bash.  The only attendee:  Me. Not only was it fun, it was therapeutic.

 

I only dyed seven eggs.  This small gesture forced me to examine how many times I wanted to do something that would bring me joy and dropped the idea because it didn’t conform to some idea of the norm.  I think I’ve learned my lesson. Listen to my counsel, more often than not it will help me get where I want to be.  Is your inner leader whispering something in your ear?

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IT’S TIME FOR RECESS

March 19, 2012 By

It’s time for recess.  Time to jump up and down, to have some fun.  Remember when life was that simple?  I think it was back in kindergarten, before I couldn’t wait to grow up.  When days seemed to go on forever and summer passed in a flash.  However, I’m not going to wallow in the pity of what used to be, I can have recess now, if I just take the time to do it. I’m going to spend more time being happy in this moment instead of thinking joy exists in the moments to come.

 

Starting today, I’m putting a little recess in my days.  Each and every one of them. Just the idea of it makes me giddy. The possibilities of what I can do during recess are endless. Today I downloaded a song that reminded me of grade school. “Alouette.”  Target is using this song in their latest ad campaign and every time I see the commercial by stomach gets happy, like I used to in grade school just before recess. Now I’m on a search for other things that remind me of my good old days.  I want to find one of those candy necklaces that I used to wear and nibble on throughout the day.

 

What would you do if you could have recess every day?

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IN THE COMPANY OF WRITERS

February 27, 2012 By

This weekend I went to a family gathering; a birthday party for one of my sisters. In the tastefully decorated dining hall, we gathered to tell my sister how special she was and to wish her well.  As the guest moved around and caught up with each other on all the activities we’ve missed since we last got together, I found out that several of us were on the writing path.

I’ve heard it said that everyone has at least one magnificent novel in them.  It was surprising to hear how many of us were on the hot pursuit of a story, from memories, autobiographies, fiction and poetry. It didn’t take long before we start sharing our journey.  For sure, we all struggle with finding the time to sit our butts in the chair and get the ideas out of our head and on to paper. Our reasons for dragging out the process were all varied and all the same. Talking about the things that motivate us and the things that keep us mired in place was enlightening.  For reasons that are beyond me, it always helps to know that others struggle with the same challenges that I do.

To hear us talk about our craft made me realize we are no different from golfers bragging about their putts and drives, or accountants discussing their debits and credits or doctors talking about the newest discovery in medicine.

I came away from the evening with a bounce in my step.  Being in the company of other writers is always fun for me. This journey towards publishing is tough and exhilarating all at the same time.  However, one thing’s for sure, I’m always thrilled to help others on this journey and I’m amazed at how many people are willing to help me.  Tell me who do you like to keep company with?

 

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MY CLUTTERED LIFE

February 11, 2012 By

My office is a mess. No matter how hard I try to keep it neat and organized, it always reverts to looking like it’s been recently raided. Little pieces of paper with websites links or to-do-lists seem to multiply like sex-crazed rabbits every time I turn my back.

I’ve tried to find a place to keep all the stuff I think is too important to throw away, but I must admit I’m fighting a battle I can’t win. Some days when I settle in to do some writing I end up trying to find the top of the desk.  My closet and kitchen cabinets suffer from the same predicament. The other day I opened a cabinet and a swarm of plastic containers that I bought to hold Thanksgiving leftovers tumbled out. When a large lid thumped me on the head, I realized that all this stuff was holding me back, like walking through waist-high water with weights in my shoes. I was trying to claw my way to greatness with all of yesterday’s baggage in tow.

Is clutter stifling my creativity? Is clutter stifling my ability to mine that little nugget of gold that unquestionably belongs to me?  Can the things I think I need to write the Great American Novel keep me from writing the Great American novel? Almost every great philosopher has a quote about clutter. But no one has actually told me what to do with this stuff. I’m sure as soon as I throw something away, I’ll need it. If I can’t find that little piece of paper, I’ll never settle on a satisfying ending for my manuscript. The minute I clean out my closet that leather skirt will come back in style. How about you, is clutter keeping you from something?

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A VACATION STATE OF MIND

January 23, 2012 By

Right now in the Northeast the days are short, cloudy and cold.  My main goal is how quickly I can get from Point A to Point B and spend the least amount of time outside.  Even when I take the dog out, I stand in the tiny bit of warmth the garage provides and look around the corner at him.   I guess I’m still waiting for my thick winter blood to form, because it’s awfully frigid outside to me.  

 

 

 

 

For me, the most soothing way to deal with winter is to look for the beauty in it. As I gaze out the window at the barren trees, I’m guessing they’re taking a rest in order to prepare for spring, when they’ll gently come to life.  Every day the sun gives us another minute of sunshine to remind us of the gorgeous days that are just ahead.  Winter provides an opportunity for me to be lazy, to curl up on the couch, under a blanket, with a good book and take it easy.  With all the activity that summer and spring bring, that’s a luxury I seldom give myself.

But even while I relish the peace and quiet of winter, I can’t help but think about taking a vacation.  There’s an adventure calling me off this couch.  Whether it’s a warm sandy beach, a bit of history to be explored or a concert in the park, my mind is not on winter or it’s limitation.  I’m almost out of breath picturing all the things I can do and places I can go, once winter loosens its grip.  Oh, there’s no doubt about it, I’m in a vacation state of mind.  Tell me what’s on your mind right now?

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