Fearing your own words

I'm about to say something that may sound a little crazy, but if you're a writer reading this I'm sure you'll be able to relate to every word.

When I'm writing my head is usually filled by many voices pushing me in different directions, arguing with themselves on where I should take my WIP (Work- In- Progress). Even when I'm not writing I'm usually arguing with the voices or thinking about a million little things at once. Sounds crazy right? Stay with me I have a point to what I'm saying I promise.

Last month all the voices stopped.

I'd stare at my computer for hours trying to force the voices to make an appearance, but they were just--gone. It's like they packed up and left overnight. I couldn't write anything. No matter what I did the ideas weren't flowing.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to take a Query Workshop with YA author Mindy McGinnis. Even though I'm not ready for the Query process it was a rare chance that I couldn't pass up and I'm so glad I went. It was great to be surrounded by other people who take their writing as seriously as I do and to meet others who are in various stages of their stories.

After the presentation I was able to speak to Mindy about her own writing fears and after that conversation as I was walking back to my car something just clicked. The voices didn't stop speaking to me, I let fear smother them. The moment I admitted to myself why I couldn't write, I allowed the voices to break through the fear.

I'm getting back to my original concept and I can say the voices in my head are helping me along the way :)

So the moral of this long story is it's okay to be afraid, but don't let it smother your creativity.

Also if you haven't read it yet, you should read Not a Drop to Drink. It's a great book and I love Mindy's world building and character development.

Have you ever let fear control you in any way?

Until next time, I hope you find joy in your writing!

Lindsey Stirling and a great message on dreams

Last night I saw Lindsey Stirling in concert for the first time and I need to say wow, that girl knows how to entertain  her audience. She's an amazing violinist and dancer. Before she played her very popular song "Shatter Me" she gave a great motivational speech about it being okay to be different and accepting yourself for who you are. She said not to listen to all the voices that tell you that you can't do something.

Her words really resonated with me and I think many of you in the art field could relate to what she said as well. Lindsey talking about how powerful and emotional this song is for her made me appreciate it all that more. I highly recommend if you ever get a chance to check out one of her shows, do it.

I wish I recorded her speech to post on here, but my phone died so to anyone reading this, follow your dreams and remember that it's okay to be different.

Until next time I hope you find joy in your writing!

Honoring our Heroes

Today many of the pools open, grills are stacked with sizzling meat, drinks are consumed, and families spend the day together. While most enjoy their memorial day off work, please remember what today is truly about; honoring those who have served and gave their lives or are still fighting for the freedoms we take advantage of every day.

We are blessed to have such brave men and women fighting for us!

I just want to say thank you past, present, and future heroes,

Happy Memorial Day!

Writing and editing crap

Since my last post I have edited 117 pages and taken out more than 24,000 words. I'm taking my time with this second draft, wanting to make it better. I told a family member the other day that writing is all about crap. Here's the exact words I used:

Writing is all a bunch of crap because you write a first draft, which turns out to be crap. Then you edit that crap into new crap, when you reread that crap you edit more new crap until it's less crappy... on and on it goes until you no longer feel the urge to hit that delete button.

If you're a Pantser like me, then you probably fight the urge to delete everything during the first read-through. My finger gets trigger happy, but I find it helps to keep all my deleted words in another document that way if I delete something important or end up cutting out the heart I still have it and can access it with ease.

What are some of your editing tricks or advice?

Until next time, I hope you find joy in your writing!

Lucky Agent Contest

Hey everyone just wanted to let you know about an awesome contest going on right now over at Writer's Digest. It's their Dear Lucky Agents Contest and the best part is it's FREE! Check it out if you're a Young Adult writer.

Lucky Agent Contest

Until next time, I hope you find joy in your writing!

During my free time I've...

Hello world,

I am coming out of my cave to tell you what I've been doing while taking a break from my novel I just finished.

My life is still eat, breathe, sleep writing. I've been honing my craft by reading some writing books and then practicing the techniques I'm reading about. The Power of Point of View by Alicia Rasley has been an enjoyable read so far. It's brought ideas to my own writing that I've been playing around with. I never realized how much fun it can be to play with the point of view.

I'm also reading Conflict & Suspense by James Scott Bell, which has also been an eye-opener so far. While writing my novel I read a little bit, but now that I have even more free time I love learning new techniques that can only make my writing stronger. I can't wait to go back to my novel and include these ideas into my story's world.

While writing my novel, my Writer's Digest magazines piled up, so I'm also catching up on all their great advice. I've written a couple short stories that I plan on perfecting and maybe enter into writing contests.

When I'm not writing or reading about writing, I'm entering other people's worlds and characters. It's a great escape from my own mind.

What do you do during your writing free time? Any other books that I should read about writing?

Until next time, I hope you find joy in your writing!

First Draft Complete

Dear world,

Today I finished the first draft of my novel. I am now going to take a six-week break from it before I begin the long editing process.

I'm free! I think I'll read some books, maybe write something else, find a new show to watch, and find my sanity again. For the past month I've been breathing, eating, and sleeping this book. It feels so great to finally finish it.

That is all!

Until next time I hope you find joy in your writing :)

New Year and New Me

I hope every one had a great Christmas and New Years. Now that the holidays are over it's time to get into new year mode. I've written about my New Years Resolutions in the past. This year I didn't post anything and here's why:

I've decided I'm not going to have a New Years Resolution. This year I'm going to have goals, but the biggest change is going to be my attitude. I spent a lot of time in 2013 being depressed and I can't do it anymore. I need to take more control of my life and change the things I can. That mostly means thinking more positively about what I have and knowing what I want.

Failure is a possibility, but I need to stop being afraid of it. Because if I fail, it means I at least tried.

What do you hope to see happen in your life this year?

Balance in life and writing

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and a great NaNo. I did not participate this year, but I have been writing. I'm in the middle of an internship where I write, so it's been difficult finding time to write for myself. I finally feel like I've found a balance.

Balance in life is very important. Those with family know how hard it is to find time to write between taking care of kids and working. Most of us have to arrange writing around our schedule. At times I felt like I had split-personality disorder between writing journalism and then creatively writing for myself. Sometimes I still get that feeling, but it's getting better.

My dream is to become a published author. In order for that to happen I have to finish my own work, which is why even if I don't feel like writing anymore I force myself to write at least one sentence for my own work. Usually that turns into more than one sentence, but every little bit counts, right?

How do you find the balance in your busy life?

Banned Book Week!

Hey everyone in case you didn't already know it's Banned Book Week. Here's a post on real reasons people wanted these books banned. You won't believe some of them because they're so ridiculous. So in honor of Banned Book Week I'm asking you to go out and read a banned book.

Some of my favorites include Harry Potter and the Hunger Games. What's your favorite banned book?

Here's another site for your viewing pleasure on what authors have to say about censorship.

Until next time I hope you find joy reading your banned book!