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Taking Time

With so many things swirling around us, we tend not to take the time to get ourselves situated for the future. During the past few months, I’ve done very little with respect to creating new stories. However, I’ve focused on updating this website and my blog site with my newest release, filing paperwork, hanging out with friends, and spending needed time with family. I’m not sure what my next project will be, but after this sabbatical of sorts, I intend to make it the best release yet.

Have you taken time out for yourself lately?

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Recording “Zale’s Tale”

I’m excited that I get the opportunity to record “Zale’s Tale,” a short story I wrote in 2018. It will be released as a podcast episode later this month. I am learning how to be a director to the young actors who are helping me bring the merboy and the other characters to life. I look forward to sharing them with you.

Wolf Flower
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Dealing with Rejection

Any writer who has submitted work to a publisher or contest undoubtedly deals with rejection at some point. It may come via a form letter or an email. The ones where there’s a message of encouragement softens the blow just a bit. Other times, the realization hits you when the announcement date has passed and there’s nothing in the inbox.

I received such an email on July 28, 2020. My response? A sigh. I’d hoped this one would make it.

The key is to not wallow in self-pity for too long. I gave that emotion all of five seconds, huffed out a breath, then kept working. Rejection doesn’t necessarily mean my work wasn’t any good. It could mean it wasn’t a good match or the individual liked something better. In the meantime, I’ll take more writing classes and ask others to critique my stories. That’s how I’ll grow as a writer.

Will I submit to other contests? Absolutely! There’s a certain thrill in trying. It means I finished yet another piece of work that has a chance of being accepted.

Don’t stop writing. Don’t give up.

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Print Release for Love’s Intensity – July 11, 2020

I am pleased to announce that the long-awaited print version for Love’s Intensity will be available for purchase on July 11th via Amazon. What a long haul this has been! There have been many requests for this format, and I look forward to autographing lots of copies for my readers. I appreciate everyone who will be leaving reviews for that story.

Upon its release, I will be turning my attention to the prequel and sequel of this YA paranormal romance. I hope to introduce to you the early days when Nina first met Bradford and continue the drama involving their children, Kressa and Brad.

Thanks again for your patience.

Print copy proof. Photo credit: Cassandra Ulrich.
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Harnessing emotions from trauma in your writing

We are all currently living through a worldwide pandemic, the cause of all sorts of emotions. Sadness. Loneliness. Devastation. Grief. Contentment. Happiness. It’s often said that writers write what they know. Following this period in our lives, we writers will have much fodder to scribble about. But, how do we snatch the intensity of those feelings and express them in all their rawness?

Some folks journal. I don’t. Instead, I write scenes that relate to what I’m experiencing at the time, though not necessarily the exact same event. Many of my readers have said that the characters’ emotions spill off the page and affect them at a deep level. I think it’s because I’m at the height of those emotions when I write about them.

I wonder what my writing will be like in the near future.

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Getting there

Under normal circumstances, working toward a goal can be challenging. But the current time is anything but normal anywhere on planet Earth. So, pushing ahead despite the daily news on how to help myself and others remain healthy is like pulling bricks through mud sometimes.

I take a deep breath, away from others, and keep typing and working on the many stories floating around in my mind. There are three that have a good chance of making it to your devices or doorsteps later this year.

With the proofreading of Love’s Intensity done, I’ve begun copy editing on both digital and print versions. I recently received second edits of If It Kills Me from an editor, so I’m working through those. Second edits on Danny R.O.S.S. are complete, so I reached out to a graphic artist to work on the cover. I am extremely grateful this person agreed to work with me in the midst of everything crazy. As for the story I finished in December, it’s still with the Beta Reader. No worries since my hands are full with the other three stories in addition to adjusting to the changes over the past couple months.

Continuing to stay busy is helping to center me in the midst of turmoil. I take breaks to hang out with my family too. Sticking to a schedule is working for me right now. I pray you’re doing well too.

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A “C” word

It’s probably not what you’re thinking. Everyday, we face “challenges” which sometimes turn our world upside down. Take “characters” for example. How do I bring them to life so that the reader will remember them long after the last sentence is read? Will the dialogue bring out their quirky personalities? Working through scenes take a certain type of “courage” to build up heart-pumping action. “Challenges” keep coming, but we press on, doing our best to use what we know to make the future stories better.

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We’re two months in, so how’s it going?

Most of us start out the New Year with goals. The first month usually gets off to a great start. However, by month two, the momentum may begin to dwindle.

I’ve been diligently editing three manuscripts in the hopes of reprinting one or releasing the other two this year. So far, I’m on track, but keeping the pace has been met with a few challenges: pop up tasks, other responsibilities, and tough scenes.

I’m also determined to post something on both my sites each month in addition to social media. That’s quite an undertaking when writing isn’t my full-time job. Excitement is building, though, as each hour of work brings me closer to a finished product.

So, even if your goals have taken a downward turn, don’t give up. Perseverance is the key to achieving what we set out to accomplish. We got this!

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