Man, it is really interesting, yet not surprising, how different we all are when it comes to how we wrote. I just read about a guy who literally sets his alarm for 4am, wakes up in the dark and doesn't turning a light, puts his computer on his lap making sure his monitor is a black screen, writes for a few hours, goes back to bed, and then wakes back up at 8:30am to edit what he wrote. I couldn't imagine doing all that. As it is, I'm not a morning person. The night hours are when I shine. … [Read more...]
Day 22: A Writer’s Lifestyle
I don't think there's a cookie cutter lifestyle to apply to all writers. It would be like saying all stay-at-home moms are great cooks or fantastic at keeping their homes spotlessly clean. With that said, I do think when we're wrapped up in a story we're writing we could allow it to take over our life if we were to let it. Writing seems to come to me in waves. When I'm hot and in the zone, so to speak, all I want to do is write. I don't want to watch TV or movies. I don't want to do any of my … [Read more...]
Day 21: Finding the Spotlight
Own your story. Whether it's fictional, a memoir, or even your own life, just own it. My story, or my life, makes me who I am today. I was abused as a child in all the ways I think there are, to include abandonment (talk about leaving yourself exposed) from my dad, my mom, and even my grandparents through the emotional side. Please don't. Get me wrong. I loved both my grandparents, both of which are now in heaven, and my mom and dad. My mom raised us on her own and she did the best she … [Read more...]
Day 20: Naked in the Hallway
In a nutshell: Privacy. It seems like all we ever want in this life sometimes is privacy. There are things in our past that if others find out will leave us vulnerable. Raw. Open. My childhood was anything but easy. As for school, it was harder for me than a typical child due to my learning disability, Dyslexia. Today, most people still don't know I have it. In fact, if someone finds out about it they are surprised. When I was young I was held back in 2nd grade. Even after that I … [Read more...]
Day 19: The Five Characteristics of Good Writing
When I saw today's topic, I was kind of excited to read what another writer thought of as her five best characteristics to writing. I was surprised to find out she didn't even list one. Instead, she went on to talk about always being prepared and the fact there are no cut and dried answers when it comes to writing. Just in the short time I've been writing, I have been told many different things that should or shouldn't be done when you write. For example, using the words 'was', 'were', and … [Read more...]
Day 18: Your Validation Posse
I love this. A validation posse. Before I got into writing seriously I might never have truly understood what this would mean and how important it is as a writer. As for what I do on this site, my validation posse has been those individuals that my writing has somehow touched their life and for those who have left comments to let me know how those words did touch their lives. But writing Mari's book and also my fiction writing. To have just the right posse is more important than I ever could … [Read more...]
Day 17: Love Thy Reader
This put a smile on my face. For anyone who has taken the time to read something I've written, it's almost like they are a friend who I'm opening my heart and thoughts to. Both the lighthearted and funny kind to the heart-wrenching and agonizing kind. This website has become a part of me, just like Mari was while on this earth and continues to be while in heaven. For some people things they may read may just be words to them. But they are so much more to me. They are a part of my soul. No, … [Read more...]
Day 16: Exploding Typewriters, Smoking Computers
I think all of us at some point while plugging away in our computers wish the darn thing would self combust. We either can't figure the darn thing out or it just isn't working like it's supposed to. We would just love to take a sledgehammer to it as it would feel so good to put the darn thing in its place. If you are interested you can get cash for your used laptop by selling it online through a buyback program. Anyone who knows me knows how much of a technology person I am. And learning new … [Read more...]
Day 15: People in a Jam
It seems like there is always someone we know who is in a jam. Sometimes it might be minor, like their cell phone died and they need to make a call. Other times it might be something worse. However, no matter where we look you can find someone in a jam. How many times in our own lives does this happen? Are you the type of person that no matter what kind of jam you find yourself in you keep it to yourself? Or are you the type that no matter how small the problem (jam) you always ask for help. … [Read more...]
Day 14: Waiting for Pizza
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about pizza? For me it's a pizza with Canadian bacon (and not ham :) ) and pineapple with extra cheese, and easy in the sauce. Of course double the pineapple while were at it. I can almost taste the pizza in my mouth already. The key here, no matter whether you have a frozen pizza, you pick up a fresh one at the felling or have one delivered to your home, you still have to wait. Man, that waiting can be agonizing sometimes, but boy are … [Read more...]
