Hey Look, I Blend Into The Wallpaper!

Happy Friday All,

I'm sorry I'm late putting up a post, but I hope I can make it up to you with this one.

You probably wouldn't believe me if I said this, but there's a lot of authors in the biz who are very shy. Happily ensconced in their rooms/offices writing, they can let their heroes be brave, bold, incredibly macho men, and the women are soft, sweet, but also with a fire in their hearts (whether it's at the beginning, middle or end). But they have to take several deep breaths and push themselves forward when approaching the unknown.

The thing is, we can't live our lives on the sidelines. Authors especially can't do that because we have to network, we have to pitch, we have to greet fans and readers. We have to constantly put ourselves out there. Our stories and online presence are the ice breakers, but we're the main event--we're the ones who have to take that step and put the story out there first--for if we don't, it won't get out there.

It's okay to be a shy person, but you can't let it freeze you up. Sure shyness is there, but you can't let it get in your way (I'm going to keep saying that because it's true). You'll never take that first step if you don't say "All right, I'm shy, but I gotta do this, so here I go."

I don't remember what movie this was in, but the line is:  "Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's the belief that something is more important than the fear." (If any of you remember what movie that's from, please let me know!)  Edit: 3/18/2011 2:41 p.m.:  Thank you, Dakota, for helping me remember...the quote comes from the movie, The Princess Diaries (the first one) and it was Mia's father who said it in a letter.

Courage doesn't mean you're not shy, doesn't mean you're not afraid, it just means that you know that in the business of writing and publishing that networking, pitching, putting oneself out there is more important than the shyness or the fear. Your love of your craft and your story take center stage.

Don't let shyness slow you down--if you're a writer--grab those opportunities. If you're a reader, go ahead and approach your favorite author (unless the author is in the bathroom--that's awkward; or has said please don't disturb--but generally authors are available to their fans and readers). Most likely the author will be delighted to talk to you. Even if you stammer, even if you blush, trip all over your tongue, even if your hands shake, go up and say "Hello."

So, what about you? How do you get your courage and "step up to the plate"?

Have A Fantastic Friday!

Encouragement

Happy Tuesday All,


Every now and again we all need that "pick-me-up". That little something that encourages us, strengthens us, inspires us and keeps us going.


The other day at Barnes And Noble Bookstore I found a magnet that says "Never, never, never give up!" and I put  that on my refrigerator. I'm thinking of taping sayings like that throughout my home to keep me going.


I mean there's plenty of things we can come up with to motivate us.


Like:  "If you don't write it, how will that story get out there?" I don't know who came up with that one, or if I just pulled that out of my imagination, but it works.


No matter what side of the profession you're on (whether writer, editor, agent, publisher, critique partner, etc.) we all need those things that gear us up and keep us moving.


So, today I'm keeping mind what I owe my characters and stories: my very best work and effort I can put in. I owe them my time, talent, and energy.


Best wishes, everyone!


Have A Thriving Tuesday!

The Highs And Lows

Happy Wednesday Folks,

As writers we all know there's good and bad in life just as there's good days and bad days with writing.

Some days things just flow and editing goes smoothly. Sometimes it doesn't.

Same with a writer's life.

Highs this week: Reading Debbie Macomber's Midnight Sons Volume 2
Getting some editing done
Actually exercising (at some point) instead of just talking about it

Lows this week: dealing with illness (virus, nothing too dramatic, just annoying--but getting over it so that's a medium low and a medium high)
getting lab work done

But you know...if you ask any author, they'll tell you...there's highs and lows for everyone. That's part of why writers support writers. We understand there's real life and writing life. Those things don't always jive well, but when they do it's awesome and when they don't it can be rough.

That's one of the things I love about this industry. There's so many of us willing to encourage one another. Soak up that encouragement and pass it on :-)

Have A Wonderful Wednesday!

"One Man's Trash Another Man's Treasure..."

Morning Everyone,

Ever wrote something that you thought wasn't very good, but you ended up showing it to other people and they gushed over it?

I'm sure we've all done that at one point or another.

After all...you are your own worst critic. That is something I've heard over the years, and have to remind myself. No matter what anyone else might say, you've probably said worse about your own writing.

Same with books you read. Something you might not have liked much, other people absolutely love.

That's one of the great things about writing. There's generally something out there for everyone, so until you put yourself to the task of scribbling your story upon pages (or, rather, typing it up) you have no idea how many or who will go crazy over your story and who will say "That's great, but you know, not really for me."

You can't know until you put yourself out there. That's something we all have to remind ourselves about at least once in awhile.

The simple fact is, treasures are often hidden from our eyes until we take the time to unearth them. If you don't put yourself out there (in a professional way) then how can your work be unearthed and shined up as a piece of wonderful reading treasure?

Have A Terrific Tuesday!

Blank Pages

Hello All,

Years ago, in high school (senior year) I worked on the school newspaper. I interviewed one of my favorite singing groups Lowen & Navarro. When I asked Dan Navarro about writing songs he said something like "...the agony of the blank page..."

That's stuck with me ever since.

What is it about blank pages that scare writers?

We just can't deal with blank pages. We have to fill them up with our ideas. Sometimes it's easy and things flow and we have ourselves a ball...other times writer's block creeps in and we feel like we're in a corner being punished.

There's nothing wrong with a blank page in and of itself. It means there's potential. There's anticipation. The sense that something is coming...even if we don't always know what that something is at first.

Sure, as Dan Navarro pointed out, blank pages can be agonizing. Especially if we sit there feeling like we're ready and nothing comes. It's enough to cause hyperventilation if you're not prepared.

So let's prepare ourselves. Let's get our minds right so that the blank pages aren't sources of fear:

1. Tell yourself blank pages are your friends

2. Start with a glimmer of an idea and go with it. See where it takes you

3. Delete what you have to.

4. Remember: Good days and bad days happen. Don't let the bad days ruin the memory of the good days.

Okay, I've succeeded in surprising myself. I honestly wasn't sure what I was going to write for today (Friday's) post. The blank page stared at me. Then all this came.

See what I mean about never knowing what might happen? About possibilities?

Now, since I showed you, you don't have to be scared of the blank page, either. This is one of those little successes along the road of writing. Best wishes to you in conquering your blank pages and blinking cursors.

Have A Fantastic Friday!

Pep Talk

Howdy All,

Well, I thought for Monday I'd focus on encouragement. I mean, I post words of encouragement up on my blog daily, but I think recalling certain things that encourage us also helps.

I'm reminded of the words from the movie, The Water Boy, where that one character says: "You can do it! You can do it!"

Or Home Depot's commercials, "You can do it, we can help." (although, how Home Depot can help with writing--nothing comes to me off the top of my head, but still...)

How about The Little Engine That Could? "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

One of the members of the NWHRWA said that everyone should enjoy writing. That it's important that it stays fun. I agree with her. If you're not having fun, then it's hard to write.

I mean we all have those days where you run into writer's block, but it doesn't mean you can't find some way to have fun.

Even if it means getting up and walking away for a bit. Maybe even picking up a book that you love...and just letting your imagination go its own way for awhile.

So...anyway... YOU CAN DO IT! YOU CAN WRITE IT! GO FOR IT! GO WRITER GO!

Have A Meritorious Monday!