Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Every Champion

Hello my lovelies! I've been away on vacation & it's been very refreshing, allowing me all the time I need to do pretty much whatever I wanted. Ah, the splendors of being home. Unfortunately, I have no remaining vacation for the rest of the year. (I'm still trying to find out how on earth I missed this vital piece of information.)
Which leads me to getting back into the old routine.


"Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up"

Writers are contenders. Published authors are champions. Just a slight difference in the two which makes a great difference in the outcome.
But how did all the writers become published authors? I'll tell you.
They never gave up. Never.
We are all contenders in search of that ultimate writing goal, being published. I could go on listing all the successful people, who, to this day have changed life for many other people due to their resilience. (If I find the charts I will post them.)
I don't want to bog you down with extra trivia that will sit in your mind. My goal is to encourage you to press on with your dream. If you have an extremely small support system, like myself, you need the extra slap on the back to help you along.
Don't forget my friends, how far you have come from your starting point. It would be a shame to toss that to the side because you gave up.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Waiting For the Right Time

"If you're waiting for the right time, it's now."

Writers, our time is now. Why wait? Let's take hold of what we have dreamed of. Let's take the risks we've been too scared to take. What's holding us back? 
As a child I always heard the saying, "What's the worst that can happen? They say 'no'." Yes it is the worst that can happen. Agents can tell you "No." But you know what I have come to find out?
No isn't all that bad. It may hurt for a little bit. But it isn't all that bad. I queried for my MS about a year ago and received all no's from every agent, (rightfully so). My ms wasn't ready. I thought it was just because I finished it. I was very wrong and I have grown as a writer because of those same no's. 
And now, now it's time. There will be no "perfect time" to query my solid MS again. There will be no incantation that makes it float to the top of some agents pile. So what have I done? It's simple. I've rearranged my schedule to make it for the perfect time. I decided I was going to enter a contest and that my MS would be polished and beautiful before that date of entry. 
You don't wait for the right time. You prepare for it. Thereafter, any time will be the right time. 

Friday, October 10, 2014

Exciting News

Good morning my readers! 

Today is a very good day! Last night was a very good night! (Minus the really scary dream I had about a possessed cat...no more decaf coffee before I go to bed ever again.)
SO the big news is I finished my MS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'M SUPER EXCITED!!!! I could probably do cartwheels all the way to work, but I won't. 
Nearly five years. Yes five in the making I have a complete MS.
Coming in at a taunt 80,500 word count, is my very first (hopefully) New Adult Fantasy MS.(& if I see another New Adult cover with half naked bodies, I will set fire to something)
I was so shocked when I finished it. I just sat looking at my laptop. I repeated "It's done" a few times and my husband may have thought I was nuts. 
Since it's had major revisions and upgrades this year alone. I'll read over and re-edit the last few chapters. 
I want this polished & shining for the Baker's Dozen contest,taking place October 28th! It's just around the corner. 
Wish me luck! & have an awesome day as well. :)

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Enjoying Without Comparing

"Enjoy your life without comparing it to others."


As writers it's easy to get so caught up in the end goal we forget why we're really writing and once we've hit a plateau it gets hard. We start looking around us to see who else be there in the thin air. If we find others subconsciously (or consciously if your a glutton for punishment) we compare ourselves with others and their work. This is very dangerous to do.
We have different paths and we have our own ways. Just because So-and-so does it this way and can draft a full novel in 3 months, (great for them!) doesn't mean it'll work for you and your writing style. Then you have Keyboard Fingers who marathon types and writes no less than 2,000 words per day. Stop!
If it works for them like I said, great for them. But don't beat yourself up for not achieve their goals. That's why you are so disappointed in yourself and your work. If try accomplishing someone else goal, you're just going to get tired.
Look at the hard work you've already done. You just started? Fantastic! Simply starting a MS can be the hardest thing for a writer. You're stuck on a scene? Take a breather and come back with a hatchet. (Figuratively speaking of course.) How many people do you know, besides your writing friends, who even attempt a feat such as you're own? Be honest. They're aren't too many. Why? Because what you are doing is hard. It something non-writers won't understand. It takes time, something we all wish for more of. It takes dedication, another thing to come by nowadays.
So my dear writers, don't compare yourself to others. But instead compare yourself with yourself when you first began. Anything is an accomplishment from where you started.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Optimistic Enrichment

"Optimists enrich the present, enhance the future, challenge the improbable and attain the impossible."

We applaud you. Yes, you. All the optimist out there are the foundation of much of our world. Without positive energy and attitudes it's hard to get anything done. Think of all who tried and kept trying. They have succeeded in life, not just writing, due to their optimistic view. It may be hard for some to see the bright side but I encourage you to try. The publishing industry is so tough the only way you can get through is tough skin, optimistic attitude, a lick and a promise. Don't get brought down by the nah-sayers! Show them you can push on and pull through & reach them stars. :)