Trapped inside

As I promised, an excerpt of the story I submitted for a contest a couple of weeks ago.

Day - 3,742

            Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep. It’s constant, like a hammer methodically driving a nail through a wooden board. Loud. I can feel the beat of it pulsing through my body. Has this been going on for days? Beep…Beep…Beep. I feel like it has. It’s so loud. But where is it coming from? I can’t see it. Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep. Everything is dark. Will someone please turn on the lights? Beep…Beep…Beep. Please. Someone. I can’t see anything. Can anyone hear me? Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep. Is anyone there?

            “Hello, Ms. Patrick. And how are we feeling today? It’s a beautiful day outside. The sun is so bright, shining through the windows this morning. Oh, and someone brought you flowers, I see.” Ouch! Hey, watch it! That’s my arm. Well, I think it’s my arm. I can’t see anything. Will you please turn on the lights, whoever you are? Please!

            “There. All done. Just had to take some blood again today and make sure everything still looks right.” Still looks right? What do you mean? Who are you? Where am I? What is this place? WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TURN ON THE LIGHTS! I wait for a few seconds and hear nothing. I sense the feeling that someone is still here. Wait. Hey, are you still here? Can you hear me? Please help me. I can’t see and…I’m afraid.

            Someone touches my hand. It’s warm. Their hand is soft but strong. They squeeze mine softly. “Oh, honey. I wish you could hear me and see everything around you.”

            But I CAN hear you and…well, I can’t see you but I know you’re there. Please help me. Why can’t I see you? What’s going on?

            “I think you’ve got some visitors coming in again today. There aren’t as many as there used to be but they still come straggling in every once in a while to say hi and see how you’re doing. I think they all miss you terribly.” I hear her pause for a second and then she squeezes my hand again. I’m here! Can’t you hear me? I try to squeeze my hand in hers. Can you feel that? I’m squeezing. I’m squeezing! Slowly she lets go of my hand and the warmth is gone. Wait! Come back! Don’t leave! Please don’t leave! Wait! Don’t…CLICK!

            What was that? Was that a door? Is anyone still here? Silence. Beep…Beep…Beep. What is happening to me? Please God? Where am I? My eyes are getting heavy and suddenly I feel sleepy again. What time is it? Is it day or night. My eyelids close slowly but I’m not sleepy. No, please, I don’t want to go to sleep. I have too many ques…tions…please…help…me…

My eyes fall closed and I drift off into a long slumber. I dream. The traffic is rushing by. I’m happy. My window is down in the car, my brand new car I just got for my birthday. I can feel the wind blowing my hair. It’s warm. I’m happy; so happy. I’m on my way to meet someone, I think its Travis, my boyfriend. No wonder I’m happy. He’s the best boyfriend any girl could ever have. I continue to drive, watching the trees and sites speed by my window. I reach down for my phone to check messages. I realize I shouldn’t be doing this but it’ll just take a minute. I was to find out if Travis is on his way. We have this big night planned. I look down for just a second; I’m sure it was just a second. CRASH!

Beep…Beep…Beep. I awake with a start. I feel like I’m jolted awake but have no idea if I moved or not. It feels like I did. Hello. Is anyone here? Is anyone in this room?

            “…I know, honey. But it’s just for a week. I’m sure Darren will understand. Don’t forget to wipe out the sink nice and neat after you’re done. And, besides, she’s your sister.”

            “Did you see that?”

            “What, honey?”

            “I could have sworn I saw Lindsay move. Did you see her move?”

            “No, I didn’t. I’m sure it was nothing. You’re tired and your eyes are probably just playing tricks on you.”

            “Yeah, you’re probably right, Mom.” There is a long pause. “Listen Mom, why do I need to stay up here again? We go through this every year. And it never helps? Why can’t it be another week this year? That’s the same week that Darren is going on that bike trip and I’ll have to miss it.”

            “Susan, there will be other bike trips. This is your sister we’re talking about. She needs us.”

            “No, she doesn’t! Lindsay’s never going to wake up! It’s been over ten years, Mom, for God’s sake!”

            I lay paralyzed. Ten years. Ten years since what? What happened? Who’s here? Is that you, Mom? Susan? Can you guys hear me? I’m here. Please talk to me. Please help me!

            “Susan, we don’t know that. I refuse to give up on her. So many people have but I’m not going to and I’m not going to let you either. When she DOES wake up, I want to make sure her family is around her and that she knows we stood by her and never gave up on her.”

            I hear something crash like something falling, or maybe something sliding across the floor. “Oh, Mom, I miss her so much. We were going to do so much together. Why did she have to go and get in a car accident? Why did this have to happen?”

            Car accident? What car accident? What happened? I don’t remember a car accident? Susan, Mom, please help me. Tell me what’s going on.

            “I know, honey. I know. In a few days we’ll come back to stay for a week, I want you to read your letter to Lindsay, just like you have every year. Maybe someday it’ll make a difference.”

            “Mom, she doesn’t hear me. She’s in a coma. I’m tired of reading this to her and hoping that she hears me and will wake up!”

            But I can hear you, Susan. And I can hear Mom, too. Oh, please stay here with me and read to me. Just please don’t leave. Please. I hear some shuffling around and feel someone touch my hand. Suddenly, there is a softness on my forehead. Hey, someone just kissed my forehead. Who was it? Mom, was that you? Susan? Please stay. Don’t leave. Please.

            “Bye Lindsay, we’ll be back in a few days. It’s our yearly ritual to stay with you for a week. I love you, honey. I know you’re in there somewhere, I just know it. Please come back to us. Please.”

            I feel someone squeeze my hand. I try to squeeze back. Hey can you feel it? I’m squeezing back. Don’t leave. Please don’t leave me, Mom? Mom? Please. I need you. I’m so scared. I don’t know what to do or how to get back to you. I can’t see you and can’t move. Tell me what to do. Please help me!

            I hear what sounds like footsteps going away from me. Are they leaving? Hey, wait a minute! Please! Come back. I’m trying…to…wake…up. Just give me…a…chance. I can…do…it. After what seems like minutes I feel exhausted; like I’ve just swam a mile. I feel like my muscles are tense and sweat is beading up on my forehead. It’s quiet now like everyone has left. Beep…Beep…Beep. Okay, I need to figure out where I am? I must be in some sort of hospital or care center. That beeping has got to be a monitor of some sort. And I think I’m on a bed; although, I can’t move around to feel anything. But I CAN hear and I think I can smell, too. It smells…clean, like disinfectant. So, I’ve got to be in some sort of room at a healthcare facility. I’ve been in a coma for 10 years? I was in a car accident. …but how did I get in the accident? What happened?

 

Day – 3,743

            Clank…Clank…Clank! “Hey, watch it, Norbert. You’ll wake the dead.”

            “Uh, Charlie, there ain’t no dead people around here. It’s a hospital, you dork.”

            “Well, uh, then you’ll wake the sleeping patients, pea brain. Hey, isn’t this the room where that girl is in the coma? I hear she’s been in it for ten frickin’ years. Is that wild or what?”

            “Yeah, that’s pretty wild, alright? Did you hear what happened to her?”

            “Well, of course I did, you numbskull. I may have just started working here but I get around. They don’t call me nosey Norbert for nothin’.”

            There is a long pause. I’m awake. What was that clanking noise? What day is it? Is anyone here? Hey, is anyone there?

            “Hey, did you see that?”

            “See what, Charlie? I didn’t see nuttin’.”

            “Right over there. I swear I saw something move.”

            “Move? Charlie, have you been hitting the sauce already this morning?”

            “No, Norbert. I thought I saw something move on that girl’s bed. I thought I did, at least. Maybe I didn’t. This is creeping me out. Let’s get the rest of the trash and get the hell outa here.”

            “Sounds good to me, Charlie. I always get nervous coming in this room anyway. It’s weird seeing someone that’s been sleepin’ for ten years.”

            “Yeah, let’s go.”

            Wait! Wait! I’m awake, Okay! I’m awake! Don’t leave. PLEASE don’t leave. Talk to me. Turn on the lights. Tell me who you are and what’s going on? Please!

            CLANK! Silence. Wait! Are you still there! Please…someone…talk to me. Beep…Beep…Beep…Oh my gosh! Will someone turn off that infernal beeping! I’m alive. I can hear. Can’t someone TALK to me?

            Swish! The sound of footsteps interrupt my thoughts and someone touches my forehead and then my right arm. I can hear them fiddling with something next to me. Maybe it’s my monitor.

            “Well, Ms. Patrick. Everything seems to be in order. The nurse will be in to give you your daily sponge bath in a few minutes. We started doing it every day a few months ago, thinking that it might help to stimulate you in some way. To tell you the truth, Lindsay, I’m out of ideas. You have baffled the doctors of this hospital, as well, as others across the country. Everything seems normal, your brain activity is normal, your eye movements seem normal, your reflexes are normal. For all intents and purposes, you look and seem like you’re just sleeping. We can’t figure it out.”

            Silence. Are you still there? I hear you and I want to wake up. Please keep talking to me. I need someone to talk to me like I can hear, like I’m normal, like I’m a person. Please keep talking.

            “Well, I have some more rounds to do this afternoon. I’ll stop back by later in the week. I do hope something changes soon. We haven’t given up hope. I want you to know that. We are still hoping for a miracle, if God still has any to give out.”

            His warm touch lingers on my hand for a moment. I try to grab at it. PLEASE…PLEASE just grab his fingers, Lindsay. You can do this! I feel like I’m sweating, like I’m tensing up so much trying to make this happen. Surely he can see this. I feel like it’s so obvious. How can he not see my hand moving?

            Suddenly, it’s gone. I hear the footsteps slowly moving away from me; the sound of the door opening and closing, and then silence again.

            I want to cry. CAN I cry? Maybe if I can cry and physically make tears, then maybe someone will see that I’m still here. But can I do it? The doctor said that everything seemed normal. But are my tear ducks normal? I used to be able to cry at the drop of a hat. Mom said I could always get my way with dad because I could cry so easily. Oh, how I wish I could see them and cry on their shoulders. What I wouldn’t do to be able to have a nice, big cry right now.

            I decide that it’s not going to do me any good to feel sorry for myself. I relax (or, at least I think I’m relaxed. Maybe I’m always relaxed) and listen. There are so many sounds to listen to besides the Beep…Beep…Beep of the monitor. Maybe if I listen real carefully, I can hear something that could trigger a tear or emotion; SOMETHING!

            I lay still and listen for what seems like hours. My eyes get heavy and I drift off to sleep again. I dream. It’s the same dream. I’ve had this dream every time for as long as I can remember. Have I been dreaming this for the past ten years? I don’t know. I only remember the past few days. I’m sitting in my car, driving somewhere. I’m so happy. The sun is shining. It’s a beautiful day. I’m thinking about someone. Who is it? It’s someone I like very much. Or maybe I love them? Is it Travis, my boyfriend? It’s got to be Travis. My phone buzzes and I reach for it. I look at the message and decide to respond back. It’ll only take a few seconds. I’m a good driver. I can do both. Wait, that’s not what I typed. Okay, I have to re-type that or…CRASH!

            Beep…Beep…Beep! I jolt away. I feel like I’ve leaped right off the bed. Oh my gosh! What happened? Who was I texting? I never get past this part of the dream. I’m on my phone and then everything stops.

            Swish. “Well, good evening Lindsay. How are we feeling today? I’m going to…”.

            Silence. Hey are you still here? I’m awake. Don’t go. I need to hear someone talk to me. Please!

            Swish. “Hey, Nancy, Dr. Steadson wants you as soon as you get finished with Ms. Patrick, okay.”

            “Okay, Sara. Hey, Sara, come here for a minute. I think I’m seeing things.”

            “What do you mean, Nancy?” I can hear footsteps coming closer to me and then they stop. There is pressure next to my leg like someone is leaning next to the bed or putting something on the bed next to me.

            “Well, I came in to give Lindsay her sponge bath and look at this.” There was a long pause. “Wasn’t her hand facing down the other way yesterday?”

            There was another long pause. I can hear their breathing. What are they thinking? Why are they worried about the position of my hand? Hey, who cares about my hands! Please just shake me or something and try to wake me up. I’m still here. I can hear you.

            “Well, I don’t know. I actually wasn’t in here yesterday but seems like it’s always been facing down. Ever since she’s been in the coma, her palms have faced downwards. That’s weird. Maybe a nurse or doctor moved them. Or maybe it was a relative.”

            “No, Sara, remember what the doctors said? They wanted to make sure everyone, including friends and relatives who visited Ms. Patrick, knew not to move her limbs in any way. That way, we would know if something changed.” There was silence again. I could feel them staring at me. Please, just open my eyes so I can see you. I know if you just help open my eyelids, I could see you and I’d be able to move my eyes. I know I could do that. Please.

            “Hmmm. That’s weird. Do you think she moved? Yes! Yes! I moved. I’m sure of it. Don’t you see? I’m alive in here. Please, just get the doctor. Get someone!

            “Well, I’m sure that she’s always had her palms down. I mean, you don’t forget something like that after seeing it pretty much every day for ten years.”

            “Yes, that’s true, Nancy. Do you want me to go get the doctor?”

            “Yes, if you would, please. I’ll stay with her and start her bath.”

            I hear footsteps quickly echoing away from me as the sound diminishes out the door. The door shuts with a CLICK.

            “So, Lindsay, have you been busy in here lately?” YES! YES! I’m awake. I moved. You’ve got to believe me and hear me! I’m in here. I want to wake up! “Are you in there, Lindsay? I sure would like to believe that you’ll come back to us someday.” YES! I want to come back, too. I am back! Please, just don’t leave me. I feel so alone when no one is here. I’m so scared. What if I never wake up? What if they shut off all the machines and think I’m dead. Would they pull the plug? I don’t even know if I’m breathing on my own. Do I have anything down my throat? I can’t tell. I can’t swallow. Maybe if I try real hard. REALLY…hard. It hurts so much. Am I doing it? Am I swallowing? This is exhausting. I can’t tell if anyone is even seeing anything. Hello! Can you see me?

            Swish. “It looks like to me that…” That what? THAT WHAT? Don’t stop. Please talk to me. What were you going to say?

            “Dr. Johnson is going to stop by in just a few minutes. He’s with a patient right now just down the hall. Nancy, what’s wrong? What happened?”

            There is silence. What? What’s going on? Will someone please say something? What happened?

            “Sara, I swear I just saw Lindsay’s neck move?”

            “What do you mean, you saw her neck move?”

            “I think I saw her neck move, like she was trying to say something or swallow. I was moving the water over here and was just about to wash her arms and out of the corner of my eye, I SWEAR I saw something move around her throat somewhere.”

            “Are you sure, Nancy? Are you really sure. I mean, maybe you’re just hoping so much that we’ll see some sort of sign, that your eyes are just playing tricks on you.”

            “No, I’m sure I…” YES! YES! My throat did move. I KNEW I could do it. Yes, I swallowed. See, you DID see me. I am alive and I’m in here. Please don’t leave. Please believe that I’m in here and can hear you. Please don’t leave.

            “…want to see her improve, Sara. But I’m sure my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me. I KNOW I saw something move. Do you think she can hear us? Do you think she’s still with us in there somewhere?”

            “Oh, Nancy. That would be a miracle. I sure hope so. Let’s wait until the doctor comes in and see what he says.”

            Swish. I can hear heavy footsteps clomping towards me. “Okay, Ms. Stanley, what’s this all about?” Whoever this is sounds really annoyed. Okay, bub. So, if I’m moving my throat trying to show you all that I’m still alive in here, you need to listen to these nurses and do some tests. Sorry if I’m keeping you from a golf game or something but I’m really getting impatient. Do some tests or something!

            “Well, doctor, I was getting ready to give Ms. Patrick her sponge bath and could have sworn that I saw her throat move, like she was trying to swallow or something.”

            “Are you sure? This is pretty big, Ms. Stanley. You’re sure you’re not just imagining it?”

            “Well, I don’t think so. I’m about as sure as I can be. And, when I first came in, I noticed that the palm of her right hand was facing upwards when it’s always faced down. For ten years, her palms have faced down right by her sides.”

            There is silence. I can feel someone lean up against me. There is the smell of spearmint. He must be standing right over me. I can feel his breath on my face. Suddenly, there is a cold touch to my eyelid. It’s pulling open. Hey, wait. Don’t pull. That hurts. Wait a minute! Turn off that bright light. I can hardly see. What are you trying to do, blind me! I feel pulling on my other eyelid and…there’s that bright light again. What are you doing? Then darkness again. Wait a minute! Wait a minute. I know what you’re doing. Did you see my eyes move? Do you think I’m all right? Don’t go. Wait a minute!

            “Well, her eyes show good response but I didn’t see anything moving out of the ordinary. Nothing seems to have changed. Keep an eye on her and I’ll stop by first thing in the morning.

            I hear footsteps moving away from me and then lingering for a while. Then the CLICK of the door penetrates my ears. Wait! Please don’t go. Come try again. I’m sure that I can make my eyes move. Please! I know I can do it. Just give me another chance. Please. Silence. Is anyone still here? Hello? Silence.

            My eyes are getting heavy again. Crap! They must have put…something in…my IV…. But I’m…not…sleepy….

            I can feel the wind blowing through my hair. It feels so good. I’m so happy but something is tugging at me. Something is wrong. My phone dings with it’s usually sound when I get a text. I hesitate to answer but reach over to pick it up. I don’t know why I’m afraid. Something is wrong but I still feel so happy and excited. Why am I afraid? I reach over but my phone has slid out of my reach. CRASH!

 

Day 3,744

Beep…Beep…Beep. Silence........

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.