A Christmas of Contrasts, Part the Second

 

There was something different in the air this year or maybe the water.

Holy Crap, I Did NaNo!

In the interest of full disclosure, I didn’t win NaNo, but what I learned changed my writing life.

Crazy Making

I say it every year, but, really, this time I mean it — this has been our busiest Summer ever.

Not only did we have the usual stuff with kids home and hubby working (4) 10 hours days and home on Fri, but also unexpected oral surgery (and the outrageous cost), a yard sale, creating a new website, and then my work schedule changed about every other week, so had to frequently rearrange all the doctor, dentist, and orthodontist appointments I’d carefully set up.

Oh, and in between all this, I finished my novel, sent it out to beta readers, then outlined the second book and started writing.

If I wasn’t so frazzled, I’m sure I’d feel a great sense of accomplishment.

I wish you all a calm, peaceful few weeks. Hopefully, a little of that will head my way, too.

 

What Happened To My Halloween Mojo?

It’s more than half way through October. Normally, I’d be deep into a Halloween project, working like mad to get it done in time for either a party or trick-or-treat night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not this year.

Smashing Through the Holiday Blues

*** New update located below the post. ***

Just before Thanksgiving I start to feel it. At first, it’s just a dark, looming cloud on the horizon. Pretty soon, everywhere I turn, Christmas songs play and perky sales people are in my face. Plans are made for holiday meals with the family. The weight of the “happiest time of the year” hits and all I want is to crawl into bed.

How To Pull Away From the Destruction Cycle

We live in a world that takes absolute delight in tearing people down. For many, it’s a way of life.

Red & Red2: Age Doesn’t Mean Squat

When I grow old, I want to be as kick ass as the characters in the Red movies.

Get That Writing (Revising, etc.) DONE

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had this crazy notion knocking around in my head that I needed large blocks of time in order to write. I waited around for the perfect set of circumstances to line up. Now, I’m a slow writer anyway. Add this and, well, it’s no surprise it took me so long to write my first draft or that I’ve been working on my revision for a year and only half way done.

Holy crap, has it been a year already?!

Yes, I’ve seen contrary advice before. I’ve also managed spurts in which I worked like mad at every opportunity. But it didn’t last and didn’t really change my thinking. Until I read examples in the blogs of two writers, husband and wife, Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith.

Creativity Resources – IWSG

The last two months I was seriously in need of help and support. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group made me feel welcome, calmed me down, and pointed me in a new direction.

The Aftermath of “All Hell Broke Loose”

A couple weeks before Christmas, my side of the family blew apart.

Without going into details, the fact is the whole family dynamic shifted. The drama was a long time in coming, but unexpected in it’s method of arrival, and certainly didn’t end in a satisfying way for much of the family. Really, when do these things ever?