Is It OCD or Passion?

Being passionate about something is suppose to be a good thing right? But when passion consumes life is that OCD?(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) I'm not sure what it actually means and maybe I'm being a little over dramatic, but having a dream that drives me to work on constantly can be all consuming. Which bring up the question; where does that leave a person?

At this time I feel I have more questions than answers when it comes to my writing. I know the type of writing I like and enjoy, but at the same time I want to get my writing noticed. This may come as a shock to some, but writing is not all the same.

Writing an article verses writing a story is completely different. Writing a blog and pouring out your inner thoughts can make one feel exposed, While writing a document can feel restrictive. It's very individualized, but a lot of the time it all gets lumped together in one label - Writing.

I'd compare it to exercise. If running is the favorite activity, than being in a belly dancing class may not interest some. While for me taking a dance class is my preference when it comes to running or walking.

The joke around my house is when my children found an old report card of mine from high school. Looking through the list of grades they noticed a D on it. Shocked that I had gotten such a lousy grade they asked, "Mom, how do you get a D in P.E?" My reply was simple, "you don't show up."

P.E would have had to been my kryptonite, I hated attending and participating in these types of sports.

Dodge ball- the worst sport ever invented- throwing a ball as someones head with the intent of hitting them- seems brutal to me. Getting smacked in the head by a speeding rubber ball, doesn't appeal to me.

Touch Football- Always starts out innocent, until the boys decide to change it into tackle the girl to the ground, either with the idea of  hurting them or groping them. Can anyone say sexual harassment?

Square Dancing- Although it being dancing (a plus) I seemed to always be partnered up with the one guy in the class who didn't bath or shower and didn't know much about hygiene.

For me P.E was a wasted class. I would have much more preferred a Jazzercise class (we didn't have Zumba yet) or step aerobics, than any of the previously mentioned activities. I realize the purpose of P.E was to teach us to stay active, but trying to make us all athletes was a little extreme.

I feel everyone is born for a specific purpose that only they can bring. I spent my twenties finding all the things I didn't like and learned the hard way too. In my thirties I've learned to be gentle to myself and give it time to develop into something, before deciding if it's not for me. And what ever you choose to give  the best you have to offer.

 Opening our eyes to what is available and seeing how intricate our world really is can be a very vital part to our inner soul. Realizing that passion, to one person is viewed as obsessive to another is also part of the experience. It's all about perception and finding what works for each individual, and knowing, "I'm Okay."
   

Designing a Proposal

When I got serious about writing I thought all I had to do was write a book. My first half decent book was a huge learning experience. I made tons of mistakes, just about every single one the professionals say not to do.  After several rewrites and revisions I realized I needed to put it aside. As much as I would love to get it published, I feel it's just not good enough and I need to work on an other book that haunted me more.

ReGeneration started out as a short story, but as I wrote the characters seemed to come alive and I couldn't help, but want to hear from them. As I worked on each character, they seemed to develop into a friendship. I got sucked into their world. Instead of leaving it a short story I needed to write. I had to know more about them and as I did I started to love even the villains. (after all they're just misunderstood)

Rewriting the story over and over has made me wonder if I'll ever feel it's complete? As my writing has changed and evolved so has my understanding of the business aspect for it. By now it's well known that I'm a class junkie. I take a lot of classes about writing and I look forward to taking more in my future. My latest class was about rewrites, but it also offered a business perspective towards the end.   

My fellow class mates and I worked on; themes, plots, narration, dialog, punctuation, self editing, format, and options for publishing.When we got into the business aspect I realized I knew very little about marketing. This is where writing a proposal came into view for me.

A proposal is a business plan for a agent.  Let's say, you wrote a query letter and an agent say's send me a summary. Instead of just a summary, make them realize you have a grasp on what they're looking for. Give them your Marketing plan with it. Basically that's all a proposal is. Letting them know, "I'm marketable."

For fiction a book proposal is four parts. Summary, market plan, bio, and sample chapters.

Summary- Tell them the story you wrote in short form. Even the ending, don't leave any surprises, but keep in entertaining. From 3-5 pages. (it's best to keep it short.)

Marketing Plan- Help them out by showing them how you plan to get your book to people. Statistics and ideas for promoting it can help them see your perspective. 1-2 pages

Bio- Who are you? What do you do? Why did your write this book? If you won a writing award write it down. Try to keep it about 1 page.

Sample Chapters- Put the first 2 or 3 chapters in. About 50 pages worth.

Of course this is all just suggestions, but realize that agents and publishers like it a certain way. (I think the word is orderly) Take this as a opportunity to move forward, even if they say, "thank you, but no-thank you." Every turn down(rejection) is a chance to learn and to become the better writer you already know you are, now you're job is to convince them.

The Top 10 Items You Need as a Writer

One of my favorite things is writing lists, especially a checklist. I enjoy being organized and structured, to a limit. As a mother there's only so much structure I'm able to stick with.  I think lists give me this opportunity, attempting to keep order in my life even though I can't seem to keep too much of it in my home. Or maybe it's because it gives me a chance to mark off each item and feel like I've accomplished some major goal I'd set out to do.  Which ever it is, I wanted to post a list to my blog. This is my checklist that every writer needs in order to be successful in their writing.

Top 10 Items Every Writer Needs

1. Computer
Most homes have at least one, but to tip the mark in your favor - I recommend a laptop. Moving to another room when the children are being noisy can help, or sitting outside on the deck can give you a change of atmosphere.

2. Desk
Having a designated spot to sit at can help begin to set up a schedule for writing.

3. Comfortable Chair
I can't stress this enough. After having a problem with my sciatica, I realized how important this really was. Spending the money on a big cushiony computer chair is well worth every penny.

4. Second Computer Screen 
When I first got serious about writing I didn't have a second screen. Flipping back and forth from one document to another or searching the internet for info, proved to be tedious. Now with a second screen viewing different documents like a character bio and the story doc at the same time have gotten a lot easier, especially with editing.

5. Designated Time
This was a huge help for me. Setting aside a specific time each day for writing really helped take my writing to a whole new level. Even if there are days when I only write 600 words down. I find it helpful to get into a routine and at least show up. (Also don't take phone calls during this time.) Some days I strike gold and some days I don't. How will I know which day it is if I don't show up?

6. Notebook
A small notebook that I carry with me at all times. When an idea hits, I have a notebook instead of a napkin to write it on; which helps keep me organized. Then on the days that I'm struggling to write a sentence,  I pull out the notebook and write about something I've jotted down. More of my scenes have come from spit second thoughts I just scribbled quickly in the notebook.

7. Dictionary
I use the free ones online. Mainly, because my typing is much faster than flipping through a book. Dictionary.com & Urban Dictionary.com

8. Thesaurus
Frankly using the same words over and over in my writing becomes droll. A Thesaurus can help breathe new life into a simple sentence. Thesaurus.com & freethesaurus.net are two versions I use.

9. ipod
I find music to help me set the tone. If there's a specific character who's hard to write about, playing the right kind of music can really help me focus on their personality. I even have playlists named after some of my characters.

10. An Idea
I've said this many times already, but it's truly something I live by. Daydream, think about an idea. If  Jack & Jill went up the hill, what was their motivation? Where they thirsty? Was it hot out? What if there was a hole in to bucket? Maybe Jack threw water on Jill and she actually pushed him or tripped him? Who knows, it could have been anything, but that's where it's up to you as the writer to fill in the blanks.

As a writer in reality all you need is an idea and a way to write it. If it's pen and paper or a new ipad 2, it doesn't really matter all that matters is that you write it down.

If there's something you can't live without when you write, post a comment and add to the list, maybe we could get the list to 15 things or even 20.

Laundry Sucks!

I don't know many mothers that enjoy cleaning and folding laundry, but I definitely have to agree with the title: Laundry Sucks!
The stuff is never ending to reappears faster than you can clean it and so in an attempt to make it manageable I dedicated a poem to it.

Laundry is...
a dirty word.
I find it,
completely absurd.

You wash and fold,
and clean some more.
Then find another,
pile on the floor.

The clothes that were;
once clean and pressed.
Sit on the side in a,
big sloppy mess.

Spraying the spots,
with Shout or Tide.
Hoping that none of them;
will sneak on by. 

Even lady Macbeth,
was plagued by spots.
Crazed by the guilt;
that a few of them brought.

Unless we go naked,
there's nothing to do.
But wash and fold;
every last load.

From a Card Game to a Boxing Match

Last week I talked about writing being a game for me. But what happens if, while playing a game other players start tearing up your cards in order for them to win.
Wasn't it just a game? When did it turn from a game of cards to an all out boxing match?

As a writer I work and socialize with other writers, but when some of those writers start to stomp all over me in order to build themselves up, how do you tell them, "I don't want to work with you any more?"

I'm the first to admit that I have room to grow and learn, of course there's always room for improvement. But supporting other writers instead of squashing them should be every writer's alternative ambition.

It's been my experience to find more supportive editors and agents than fellow writers while muddling through the process.

So in order to inform and support my fellow writers. I'm going to explain the difference between jobs and what they each do.(There's a whole alternate world when it comes to writing and publishing. And we need to know all about the process and how things work.)


1. A writer- Someone who uses words to tell a story.(You & me.)

2. Writing Coach- A person/professional who helps instructs, tutors, trains, and cheers on a writer with the writing process.(If you understand the concept of beginning, middle, and end. Know how to build character, can structure sentences, and have an outline/plot. Have written over three drafts and did a major rewrite on you story. You probably don't need a coach.) Other names: Developmental editor, Bookdoctor.

3. Proofreading Editor- A professional who corrects, identifies, standard grammar, punctuation, and usage in a completed manuscript. (You've written a solid story. It has all the components of a story and now needs a polish in order to make it shine brighter.)

4. Copy Editor- A  professional who proofreads, checks for grammar, spelling, syntax, word usage, styles, formatting, consistency, and clarity. They cross-check references made in the manuscript. (It's a second polishing.) AKA; LineEditor

5. Agent- a person who represents an author in dealing with a publisher.(The professional we send our query letters to.)


6. Publisher- A person/company who prints and distribute printed material. (The almighty one.)

So there we have it. It's all about the step by step process when it comes to writing and we all work at our own pace. My hope is that we support each other in our endeavors and when we can't - be quiet.

Holly Lisle quoted, "If you're doing what you love and you're happy doing it, no one else's success affects you at all."

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Five Tips for Taming the Snarling Writing Beast

Surviving the negative feedback as a writer is all part of the game. I guess comparing it to a game makes it feel less of a conflict than the actual bitter harsh truth.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't like your story." Or "It's too controversial." are just two of the negative comments I've heard about my novels, while completely zoning out the twenty or so who've liked it. Dwelling on the two who didn't like it makes me wonder, "What am I doing wrong?" In order to carry on I've had to change a few few things about myself.

The awful truth is not everyone will like what I've written. There will be times when you feel alone and isolated by the hurtful, nasty, and all consuming ouchie comments.  But surviving it and (pardon the term) licking the wounds will be part of the process.

Five Tips for Taming the Snarling Writing Beast:

1.) You can't win them all. Even your most trusted friends or family may be the toughest critics. Realizing they want you to succeed and are trying to help, can make you see things clearly and help from biting off their heads. Focus on the positive and stop thinking about the two that didn't like it.

2.)  Not everyone can Edit. Editing is a unique skill. Some people think they know what there doing, but really aren't helping you at all. Finding the right type of editor can make or break a manuscript. I suggest finding a professional or asking a English teacher to look it over.

3.) It's okay to be hurt, it's not okay to give up. There will be days where the question, "why am I even doing this?" comes up. For me I couldn't help myself, if I tried. I'm a writer it's what I do. Even on those bad days, I still get up and write something - if it's only a paragraph or two.

4.) Give me pep talk #3. My husband is my biggest supporter. When I'm going through a hard time, or feeling low I call him up and say, "I need a pep talk." He's gotten so good at them that I can actually specify the type I need. (I probably should label them.) Having a good supportive friend who's cheering me on lightens the grueling setbacks.

5.) Be a dreamer. If you don't dream it then how will you know what you want? I dream about being published. I've made up my own business cards, I've practiced how I'd sign my name. I buy clothing I can imagine wearing at a book signing or reading. I figure if  I'm ready and project myself to be that way, then all at once the stars will aline, looking like I just walked right in without any effort. (Cause all the works been done.)

I'd like to hear some of the ways you tame the writing beast, or any internal beast for that matter. Leave a comment below on some tips or ideas that have worked for you.