Good words DO motivate

I was reading a new book this week. It's by M.E. Lorde.

Within the first page of the book, I noticed such a difference compared to the last couple of books I had TRIED to read. Of course, these are all ebooks (self-published) so, like Forrest's mom would say, "You never know what you're gonna get". There are, indeed, a lot of good and GREAT self-published authors out there now (like M.E. Lorde). But I have to be honest, I've started reading some books lately that I thought I would enjoy. And believe me, I TRIED to finish them. I really did. My parents always taught me, finish what you start. And, you never know. Maybe some books are just slow moving and don't really "grab" you until later in the book, after you've already giving up on it. Which is sad. But there have been a couple lately that I just couldn't finish. I mean, come on, my time is precious, too, right?! I'm a writer. And I probably should be sitting down writing instead of reading, but one still needs to read. AND, the really good benefit about reading is that it can motivate you to get started on your own writing.

Reading a poorly written book can drain you. Or, at least, it can me. But if I can get into a great book, it motivates me to keep reading it, as well, as doing some writing myself. A good writer learns from other writers, as well as from the actually writing, itself.

So, I know that not all books are going to be good and rarely will they be one of the Great Ones. I need to work past my OCD and realize that I CAN put down a "not so good" book and start another one. I CAN learn from the good writing AND the bad. The more you read, the more you learn. And the more you write, the more you learn what is great and what is not. Hopefully, I'll always...or, at least, most of the time...write the "great" stuff. Happy writing and happy reading!

Social media overload

I don't know about all of you, but I find myself suffering from "Social Media Overload" these days. It's a common condition, I'm sure; prevalent among most people. Although, I don't think the young kids and teenagers will feel the effects until college or after. But within my unorganized life , it's a condition I find myself in constantly.

The need to plug in to the social sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Goodreads, to name just a few, can be very overpowering at times. It's almost like a Death Eater; just waiting in the shadows to suck the life out of you and leave you feeling drained.

I have come to the conclusion that if I intend to get anything done in the mornings at my "real job" or at writing, I can not surf the net until I have accomplished those certain goals. SO, my next "Note to Self" is to put together a list and schedule of what I want to accomplish with my writing and "miscellaneous" in order to reach my publishing goals. And, trust me, surfing the numerous social networking sites will be at the bottom of the list.

Now, don't get me wrong. I know there will be times that I need to get on FB or to post something that I feel is vitally important, BUT I have decided to not "Start" my day surfing the net. It's unhealthy for me and puts me in a certain FUNK. Maybe it's the same for you. If so, do what I'm going to do, stay off the net until you accomplish certain goals you have set for yourself that day, and  THEN go and play. Isn't that what we always tell our kids. "Get your homework done first, THEN you can go and watch that movie or go outside."

Well, I think that policy should work for adults, too. What do you think? Join me! Make that list. Write out those goals and schedules and accomplish what you have set out to accomplish. Strike when your energy is HOT and save the surfing for when you're "done with your homework".

10 Commandments of Human Relations

I came across this article the other day. It was laminated and the paper was a discolored yellow. My mother had given it to me many years ago. She was, and still is, good at clipping out little articles and tidbits of information. Sometimes her motive was to help me with struggles I might be having at the time and sometimes they were just little pieces of information regarding every day life. I love her for it and have kept so many of these little pieces of paper she has given me through the years.

This one I felt particularly drawn to post. If you can achieve these in any consistency throughout your life, you are doing very well and can consider yourself an extremely decent human being.

Ten Commandments of Human Relations

1. Speak to people. There is nothing so nice as a cheerful word of greeting.

2. Smile at people. It takes 72 muscles to frown, only 14 to smile.

3. Call people by name. The sweetest music to anyone's ears is the sound of his/her own name.  (had to add the "her" as this article was probably from back in the 70s when the press wasn't so eager to make a statement, coed)

4. Be friendly and helpful. If you want friends, you must be one.

5. Be cordial. Speak and act as if everything you do is a joy to you.

6. Be genuinely interested in people. You can like almost everybody if you try.

7. Be generous with praise and cautious with criticism.

8. Be considerate with the feelings of others. There are usually three-sides to a controversy: yours, the other fellow's and the right side.

9. Be eager to lend a helping hand. Often it is appreciated more than you know. What counts most in life is what we do for others.

10. Add to this a good sense of humor, a huge dose of patience and a dash of humility. This combination will open many doors, and the rewards will be enormous.

Something's in the Woods

     It’s quite; deathly quiet. I’ve heard this sound before; this “nothing” sound. It’s so cold and damp. I shiver. I’ve been here before but where am I? I look at the trees around me and watch my breath curl up in front of my eyes. What is this place? I turn my eyes up to the sky but can only see the tops of trees. There are so many trees I can’t see the sky. I’m all alone but I can feel somebody or something here with me. I’m afraid to look around but before I can move my head I hear a crackle from several feet away; the sound of a twig breaking. I slowly turn my head to face whatever is behind me and suddenly feel an evil presence.

     I waste no time. I run. The wind beats hard against my face, like little knives shooting into my skin. My legs feel like spaghetti hardly able to keep me at the pace I'm aiming for. There is no light ahead, just trees and darkness. All I can see is dim, grayish openings through the thick forest. It's like there is no destination ahead. Where is the end? When will I get to the end? Or, will I? It's muggy outside and cold. I can feel sweat beading down the side of my face. I'm shivering. Maybe it's just because I'm scared for my life.

    I look back behind me, straining my neck trying not to break my pace. There's nothing there. But I can feel it. It's there. Hovering, running, watching, not letting me out of it's sight. All I hear now is the crunching of leaves beneath my feet. It's a steady beat; Crunch, Crunch, Crunch! I see what looks like an opening up ahead of me. My pace quickens. Maybe there is help out there. Has someone come to help me? I need help! Please! I say a silent prayer to myself, "Lord, if you're up there, please help me!"

I feel myself quicken my steps. Crunch! Crunch! Crunch! Faster, faster, faster! I feel like the thing behind me has quickened it's steps, too. I can almost hear an echo after my steps, like it's right on my heals. I've got to run faster. Where is the light? I should have reached it by now. But it's still out there. I'm not getting any closer. I look back behind me again. Ooommfff!

I open my eyes and peel the damp, cold leaves off my cheek. I shake my head and realize I've fallen. I glance back quickly and see a large rock in my path. Crunch! Crunch! It's coming! Scrambling to find my footing, I lunge forward and move as fast as I can. Hunching over, I try to quicken my steps to keep ahead of it. But I can feel it getting closer. I can feel it's breath on my neck. I can't look back now. It's right there! I know it! There's the light. It's getting brighter. I know I can make it. I know I can. If I just run a little faster. . .just a little faster . . .Before it grabs me  . . .

    A bright light shines in my eyes. I reach for something, anything. I try to open my eyes feeling around for anything familiar, a helping hand; something. The light is so bright I can hardly open my eyes. I squint at the pain and slowly blink as light comes rushing at me, like a freight train. Slowly it fades, I blink some more and look around. I’m in my room, in my bed. I look down at the covers; strewn all over the bed with half of them draping onto the floor.  My clothes are soaked with sweat. It was a dream; the same dream.

Some of my favorite books

I've become the Queen of Writing Research. I have so many books in drawers and on book shelves having to do with 'how to write', 'what to write', 'when to write'. And they are ALL great books and I'm getting a lot of useful information from all of them. I probably should sit down and put some of that good information to use by doing some of my own writing. But I'm a reading addict as well as a writer.

I thought I would share some of the books that have been very beneficial to me. The first is, of course, On Writing by Stephen King. This is a MUST HAVE for any writer who is wanting good, sound, and straight-to-the-point advice on writing. And, of course, if it's written by Stephen King, it's going to be good. Stephen King has definite goals that he accomplishes when he writes and he shares these willingly. One in particular, which I think is a difficult one for some of us - ". . . The space can be humble . . . and it really needs only one thing:  a door which you are willing to shut. The closed door is your way of telling the world and yourself that you mean business; you have made a serious commitment to write and intend to walk the walk as well as talk the talk." This can be difficult to do, especially if you have a husband/wife and children, wrangling for your attention. But it needs to be done if you intend on getting any writing done.

A couple of other books I found very useful in helping me to organize my writing life were Writer's First Aid and More Writer's First Aid by Kristi Holl. Kristi has a very graceful writing technique. These books were extremely easy to read and had a natural flow to them. They were also chocked FULL of contact information, referencing books and articles that I found very helpful and inspiring.

Another book that I just recently finished was The Productive Writer by Sage Cohen. This book was also full of inspiring information. Sage goes from start to finish and guides you through every step of the writing and publishing process. She gives you downloads to spreadsheets that help you organize and prioritize all aspects of your writing. This book is very detailed in it's layout. It is also full of information about social media and how to create a stress-free life in writing. I highly recommend it.

There are so many other books out there and I will periodically share my stash with you. But these are great starts to add to your collection if you are looking for some basics that will get you moving in the "write" direction. Good luck to you and "Keep Writing"!

Clearing out the cobwebs

I guess it's as good a time as any....  I have not blogged in a while. To be honest, my mind has been having several tug-a-wars lately. I'm not sure who is winning or which part/side of my mind is coming out on top. I'm not even sure I want to try and figure it out. It's a pretty scary thought.

But, the time is at hand. I need to stick with my blogging and build my audience for future books and interest. I really do want to write and consider myself a writer, just NOT a published writer... as of yet. But that day will come, I'm sure of it. It's just a matter of time. Of course, it would be nice to be the next Stephen King or J.K. Rowling but I should probably set my sights a tad bit lower for the time being. But just a tad, mind you. The creative and author part of my brain still insists that I'm the next in line. Of course, I'm sure I share that same opinion with many other writers that think their writing is the next best thing to a Pulitzer Prize. But, if we can't dream and dream big, then what's the point! Right? Right!

So, here it is - my promise to myself and those of you who stop by to read what I have to say, whether brilliant or just whimsical, is to blog once a week on my progress as a writer. I may throw out advice or little sayings and quotes for inspiration. I may even throw in some excerpts from my writing. I will probably also ask for your help and advice, which I always need if I'm going to continue to grow and succeed as a writer.

I love meeting new people and hearing what they have to say. So, don't be shy. Stop by, pull up a chair, maybe fix yourself a cup of tea...  and enjoy.

Get off the pitty pot if that's where you are!

So, yesterday may have been the worse day of my life. Well, at least within the last few months or so. I cried all the way home. And my feelings continued to fester as the night went on. Thankfully, I had enough to do around the house to keep my mind and body busy. And as the night wore on, I calmed down and was able to enjoy the evening with my son. It's amazing what Harry Potter can do for the soul. #hugesmile

Now, the reason for my crying binge and upset mood is not as important as what I realized before the end of the night, of which also carried over into this morning. I am not a victim. I never will be, no matter whatever happens to me. I am strong, a hard worker, a good listener, great friend and loyal confidant. I'm also a writer and have more insight and wisdom that people usually give me credit for. 

Why, you say? Well, closest I can figure is, I don't boast. I don't toot my own horn, so to speak. Sometimes, I keep my mouth shut when I probably should speak up. But, it's usually because I'm going to hurt someone's feeling with my directness and blunt way of saying things. People usually can't handle that. And maybe in my old age (only 53, I might add. *wink wink*), I've become more opinionated and direct. That's one of the perks of getting older. You don't have to care what people think. If you know you're right and have something that needs to be said, you have the freedom of knowing that there won't be quilty feelings associated with the behavior. 

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't go around hurting people and spouting off my mouth with disregard for anyone's opinions or feelings. That is not my style. Nor, is it my style to pat myself on the back for a job well done or for any unforeseen wisdom that I have been bestowed upon. I figure actions speak so much louder than words.

That being said, I have captured back my strength. I admit, I have been off course lately, no excuses; but hormones have played a big part in my concentration lately. But, the air and fog are clearing and I'm beginning to see the light again. I have a lot to say and remember, things aren't always as they may seem . . . Hmmmm, I bet you've heard that one before. *raising eyebrow and nodding head*.

So, bottom line, what I'm trying to say is, don't let anyone get you down. Be your own person. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT be a victim. Be strong, say your peace and what's on your mind, even if it's to toot your own horn every once in a while. Don't be afraid to speak up! If someone's feelings get hurt by the truth, then that's okay. It's better that way than having an incorrect or unrealistic impression of you. The world needs kind, thoughtful, creative people; people that have integrity and aren't scared to speak the truth or tell the stories that they have bottled up inside. So press onward, my little grasshopper. Life is good and will continue to be filled with awesomeness!