Just Do It

First, let me say, I'm very happy right now :D Super happy! I have so much writing things happening all around me, that I'm ecstatic. But I worked for them. I worked to make this happen. And I had lovely support from my friends and co-writers.

 

I'm a writer with severe asthma and allergies. I recently moved (am actually still moving :S), but it's too late for this year's dust up! Where I lived before made me so sick, that I've nearly died. I end up with pneumonia/severe bronchitis every year, and spend months trying to recover. I have five kids, three still at home. One, the youngest, has Down Syndrome and has regressed with the potty training with the move, though he's otherwise adjusted extremely well. Yet, I've found time to write. Admittedly, it is 100k words less than the years previously. But I still whipped out 60kish that last really sick year. (most of which is published! The rest is unfinished as yet J )

 

I've worked in jobs outside the home, and edit and sew from home on top of my writing. Writing is a way to release stress and emotions for me, but it's also a way to allow my imagination to run free and live in special worlds. But, how many times have I heard the phrase, "I'd write if I had time." in a condescending manner? Too many!

 

*Grins* And you know what? I smile. I smile and nod. And if it's a good friend, I will tell them to find time, even if it's fifteen minutes at a time. If they really feel the need to write, then indulge in it. My friends will know the personal struggles I have, and if I can find time… *Grins more* Nothing like having them take a second look at what they are saying.

 

If they are just acquaintances, I'll put them on the do not call list—just kidding :D I mostly let it float away like water off a duck's back. Why, when they are being so condescending and acting like what you do is nothing, and that any person could do it, but it's beneath them or not worth wasting their time on? Why just let it all go? Why not hold the resentment?

 

Lots of good reasons…including it's not worth wasting your time on! LOL But one main reason is I love to write in the same way I love to paint. I know how hard I work. I know that I did 3 hours of research for the first 500 words of a historical that I then chose not to finish as it's not the right time for me. I know that even though I include romances in my repertoire of books, that I'm a good writer and researcher, despite what many say about the genre! I know that I use words above a 6^th grade level. I know that I entertain people and give them a story worth reading. Though, like all great artists and writers, I feel a twinge—okay sometimes a cascading waterfall—of self-doubt and recrimination when I'm writing.

 

Still, it does no good for you to dwell on someone else's negative thoughts of your chosen vocation. You live and dream and do as you believe. If not, you end up with things like writer's block, or depression because you're not good enough, or something. Be happy! Think positive!

 

I'm working on writing and editing even though finding time is a challenge, but it's so exciting! I am a writer. An author, a mother, a painter, an editor, a gardener, a quilter, a cross stitcher, a crocheter, a scrapbooker, a baker, a cook. I am all those things. And today, it makes me happy. Very happy.

 

Was it always easy? No. Is it easy now? No. But I persevered. I didn't give up on my dream. Every day, I am finding ways to make it easier to do all the things I want to do. It takes work and time. But it's worth it. And that one fan that says, I loved "x line" or "x character" makes it all worth it.

 

No matter how much I say it doesn't matter what someone else says, we know it does to some extent. (I'm just saying don't let it stop you!) Writers and artists love the validation of having a fan, of having someone positively review their work. We love the feedback. We NEED the feedback. My fans have made it easier for me to keep going while I was sick. And now, while fighting what is hopefully the last year of this level of sickness, I appreciate my friends and fans so much!

 

If you have a favourite author, you may think you're only one voice of many, but I can tell you, it matters to hear your positive thoughts, your well wishes when things are not going well. So thank you to all the fans,. I hope I've inspired you to do something, even if it's five minutes at a time. It all adds up. Go make a quilt, or crochet an afghan. Start saving for that dream vacation. Every little step, every positive thought, takes you closer than you were before.

 

Don't be someone who says, "I'd do that if I had time." If it's important to you, make time. :D  I hope I've inspired you to do something, even if it's five minutes at a time. It all adds up. Go make a quilt, or crochet an afghan. Start saving for that dream vacation. Every little step, every positive thought, takes you closer than you were before. Just do it.

 

 

 

 

It's me. No really, it is

Hi *waves madly* has this past year and a bit been nuts. I've not been good at blogging, but honestly, I had to cut back somewhere. As my general health improved, I tried to add guest blogs to help keep me active. I had about a month where I was not ill then came down with this current thing. Prior, I had about a month and a half (pushed it to two out of denial lol) in the spring time. Otherwise, I've pretty much been ill, with different things, aggravated by my asthma, since the fall of 2012. It's one of the reasons I've not blogged much.

But, have I been sitting idly by? No. Although I've slowed way down, I managed to become an editor, and now a managing editor at the publisher that took a chance on me for The Ulfric's Mate. As I may have stated before, that series now has two out, The Midwife's Moon being the second, and a contract for FIFTEEN MORE. I am not kidding :D five freebies and 10 full lengths (50k+) and whatever else happens. *makes note to write tonight*

So, in the last year and a half, I've released:

The Ulfric's Mate July 2012, book 1, The War of the Weres
Ravaged anthology, Volume 1 August 2012, (Barely There, a prequel to The War of the Weres)
Rick Sexed Up the Doc, November 2012, Naughty Nursery Rhymes
The Captain's Christmas, December 2012, Holiday
Crimson anthology, Volume 1, March 2013 (Daryn's Slayer)
Serviced anthology, Volume 1, March 2013 (Over a Dead Body)
The Midwife's Moon, August 2013, book 2, The War of the Weres
Slow Burn, October 2013, Dead Man Walking line
Mayhem in Mexico: Zombie Infestation October 2013, A Serena Rouge Novel
And, coming in January 2013, Ravaged anthology, volume 2, (Witchy Wolf)

I seriously became ill in September of 2012. Imagine if I were healthy? I've also edited a number of works that have since been published and are still coming out pretty regularly.

My family has grown so much. The kids by leaps and bounds as always. I made a half hearted attempt to do NaNoWriMo, but had family emergencies get in the way. So, I'm thinking of doing my own in January, but make it two weeks long. That's only 4k a day, with a day off even, which I'm more than capable of. NaNo is when I usually really buckle down on my writing. But, sometimes, the family stuff really isn't something that can be put off. Anyone else who wants to make up for NaNo or just wants to do a run with me, I'm planning on Friday the 10th of January through the 27th (giving myself the three weekends). So it's actually what? little under 3k a day, if I take no time off.

I've really neat hard core sci fi in the works that I've been asked for a full for (I mean, Robert Heinlein, hard core), and there's a nice romance built in to the intrigue and science, and it's set on Mars.) I'm just over halfway through with Book 3 of The War of the Weres, and somewhere have notes and few bits for books 4 & 5, and 3 of the freebies. Hopefully, I can find them again. Grrrrrrr time to clean out the docs, I think. I've also been asked to rewrite and resubmit a YA that I sent in that's 88k! So need to get on that.

I've been writing, but I let my editing take over my life, so have to seek out that balance I had before.

Christmas is coming, and for my family, that means gift making and baking. I've made a few gifts for my daughter and my new grandbaby, and her husband even gets something. I'm waiting on a paycheck to mail off a few of them that I have to go out. But first, must wrap them lol Have also been making hats and mitts for the kids still living at home (back up to 4 now lol) . Looking at trying my hand at making a kitten stuffed animal for the youngest that loves them so much. Possibly a pillow or something for the older kids. We'll see. Have to dig out my sewing machine and see what else I can come up with. It's going to be a lean Christmas this year. But at least, my son is home and safe. He wasn't safe for a while, so that worry is over. Thankful to have them all here this year.

I'll try and remember to take pictures before I send things out of what I've been up to. Course, some of the gifts will have to wait until after Christmas in case they look. :) No peeking, now...

I also did get a chance to do a little painting, finally. A cat commission I'm doing to trade for this awesome crochet blanket (yes, I could have made one myself, but I loved the pattern my friend had and she loves her cats. Good trade, methinks!) for my granddaughter. I also finished one I started years ago that I found while going through my canvases. I had to finish the faces...which I still suck at. grrrr. I would like to take another class for that.

Anyway, there's tons more, but here's the generality of my life for the past bits (Did you catch I'm grandma now? *grins*). Hope your family is doing well. I love to hear from people in the comments. Feel free to say hi and tell me how your family is celebrating the winter holidays.

hello again

Well, one week later and a year older, I'm back :) I've been busy since the last time I was on. Two of my kids became violently ill, if only for the short term. One was the baby :( I prettymuch held him all day Thursday. Since I still had a low grade fever, it was probably a good thing.

The bad thing was all the lost fruit from all the illness :( Well, also all the backed up housework!

I entered a "So You Think You Can Write" contest and made the first cut :) I've been so busy canning and cleaning that I didn't even get on to ask you all to vote for me! Next week I will that's for sure :) It's a line by line contest. You build on each line and people vote for their favorite. Last week, the bottom 3 were cut. OUCH> Three at a time! Harsh.

We shall see what next week holds...