Gladness in the Ruthless World

We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of the world ~ Jack Gilbert

I hope your 2013 goals are coming along as you wish.  Part of the reason I think that having a vision, goals, and routines in place is because the world is a big, bad furnace just waiting to burn us up and burn us out while we try to accomplish our goals.

But if you're on a dream journey, I think you have make the positivity come through to cool that furnace.  That's where the stubbornness and gladness come in. 

That's the crazy thing about writing.  A good story is built on conflict and tension and there's a lot of rejection.  But through it all, folks are plugging along and publish books.  When my routines work and I fell myself moving forward with my project, that's when I feel the positivity cooling the furnace in the world around me. 

Where do you pull your stubbornness and gladness from when the world is a furnace trying to burn you up or burn you out?

Everything in Life is Doable

Everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it and the imagination to improvise ~ Sylvia Plath

I'd like you to consider that everything is life is doable, if you have the guts to do it and the imagination to improvise. 

I hope your year is going as well as mine.  I finished writing my first novel after four years and actually wrote the first draft of a second novel.  Now I'm working on revising and editing the first novel in hopes that a small press will publish it.

Depending on your goal, it might not be too late to get started this year if things aren't working out like you had planned.  And you also have all next year to plan on reaching your goals as well.

What are you working on to finish out the year strong?  I'd love to hear!

The Less I Call it Work

The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work ~ Richard Bach

One of the weekly tasks I've always hated is the household chores.  The one chore that I love to do, though, is the laundry.  I love getting my clothes clean and put away and ready to wear again, especially my favorite clothes.

The point is, when there are chores and tasks to be done, it's easier to do the ones that we like to do and sometimes it's torture to accomplish the things that we don't.  Take blogging for example.  I started this blog because everything I read about emerging, independent writers said I needed a blog to help develop a platform.  But posting on my blog consistently has always been a source of frustration and stress for me.  Until recently.

Back in February I figured out that I just couldn't blog everyday.  No matter how careful I tried to plan everything out, a daily blog post for me was out of the question.  What I did figure out that would work for me is a blog post four days a week, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.  If you look at my blog history, I've been able to meet this "schedule" consistently since the end of February (I missed a Thursday post a few weeks ago when I was going to talk about an America's Got Talent contestant but then found out about the controversy surrounding his story and subsequent eligibility on AGT).  I've almost had more blog posts in the last four months as I had all last year.  I've finally been able to turn this "important to my writing career" chore into something which I actually look forward to accomplishing each day.

Another chore that I've learned to love this year is the actual writing itself.  I finally learned how to outline and make notes about my novels which has helped make the actual writing of the scenes much easier.  I just read a post from a publisher over the weekend recommending that if a writer wrote just one page a day, they would have a novel in a year.  I attempted to do that without notes.  After finished outlining the end of my first novel, A Place to Call Their Own, the words just poured out of my fingers and onto the screen.  I wrote 5000 words one week and I was so happy with myself that I did it again the next week.  Now 5000 words a week has become my "norm" and anything less is substandard performance, at least in my mind.

Part of the point, is to also realize that only I could figure this stuff out for me.  I had read over and over again about blogging daily.  I had read about outlining.  But no one could help me figure these things out until I tried them myself.  And if you're struggling with a part of your dream journey, only you can figure out a way to make it fun for you, so that it no longer becomes a chore.

What's something on your dream journey that is so much of a chore that you hate to do it?  Anyone have any stories about overcoming these types of barriers to your success?  I'd love to hear!

Nights When the Moon Howls

There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls ~ George Carlin

Do you ever have nights when you just can't sleep because your mind was racing?  How do you deal with those nights?  Sometimes my mind races because I have a new thought or idea in my head.  Sometimes, it has to do with my current WIP and I just sit down and continue my writing for the day, which adds to my weekly writing goal. 

Other times, I have brainstorms about other new and exciting novels yet to come.  I also take the time to get out my ideas "on paper" and then I can usually rest.  The cool thing about this approach is I have notes and some writing started for six additional projects. 

No matter what your dream goal, I hope you have an outlet for the creative insomnia that hits everyone once in a while.  Whether it's reading a book to help you relax and get to sleep or actually working on your dream journey, you just never know when that creative energy is going to hit.

How do you deal with your late night creative energy?

The Best Time

The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes ~ Agatha Christie

Does it ever feel like all you ever do is work on your dream goal, whatever that might be?  And at the same time, sometimes it doesn’t feel like you’re moving forward? 

If you think about, maybe it is because you think about your dream goal or journey all the time, but set boundaries so that you only work on your dream during certain times of the day or certain days.  Remember, unless you are brainstorming goals, action plans, etc.  you’re probably not actually working towards your dream.

So the important thing to think about is, are you devoting enough time to your dream that you want?  If you aren’t and that’s why you are thinking about it a lot, then maybe can you change a routine or a boundary so that you can work on it more.  If you are devoting enough time to your dream project, then maybe you’ve reached an exciting time and it’s on your mind.

If you are good with the amount of time you are actually working on your dream goal, maybe you need to set a boundary with yourself to take your mind off of your dream goal.  I’m all about being totally immersed in achieving a goal, but there are times when you just need to let things go and relax.

What new routine or boundary have you implemented to help you with your dream goal lately?  I’d love to hear about it!

A Plus Name for Regular Activity

Creativity is merely a plus name for regular activity.  Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better ~ John Updike

Any activity does become creative when you try to do it right or better.  I have spent the last year at my current job figuring out ways for my team to do things correctly 100% of the time and get better at doing it.  All we’re going to taking messages for doctors and paging them out.  Now that work has turned in to a new career opportunity which I get to start in April.

In the last few months I switched all my cleaning products from expensive brand name products to a very effective and more cost effective replacement.  I now use white vinegar for all most of my cleaning needs.  By mixing one part vinegar to one part water, you can clean just about anything:  appliances, counter tops, glass, bathroom fixtures.  Believe it or not, the vinegar smell rarely lingers.  And a small bowl of vinegar placed strategically near the cat box has helped to neutralize odors there, too.  Cleaning was so much more fun those first few weeks than it had been.

Is there some day to day chore you can figure out how to do better, which in turn might help you reach your current dream goal?  I’d love to hear about it!

Guest Post

Today's post is by Sister-In-Law, Lori Frech.  I wrote about her last springs when she trained for her first 5K run.  Here is some more from her inspirational story.



Where do I begin? I have to so much to say, but I will try to keep this short and to the point. My life has been nothing but a series of ups and downs, sometimes feeling like I am on a roller coaster. I was always trying to let go of my difficult childhood and could never find a way to do that. I look back and I see now that my negative attitude was the reason my adult life did not go as planned. I was always looking for the next bad thing to happen to me......and guess what...it always did. It was either a bad relationship, losing my job, getting divorced, health problems, etc. Some of these things could have been avoided if I only maintained a positive attitude and not let poisonous people in my life.

Fast forward to about 3 years ago. I was in a horrible relationship and I knew I had to get out and I had to change. I was introduced to the law of attraction and positive thinking. Shortly after, I met my husband and we fell madly in love. At some point in our relationship I started thinking negative thoughts again and I knew I had to take control of my life or my relationship would not last. I started reading more about positive thinking and about exercise and nutrition. I have always exercised, but not on a consistent basis. The motivation to exercise came from within......I no longer could live this way. I didn't want to be unhealthy when I was older and I wanted to be strong for my future children, and show them the way life should be......pure happiness.

The benefits from a healthy diet and exercise are phenomenal. I have overcome my anxiety and bouts of depression, with no medication. If I am feeling down, I head to the gym and everything is better. I feel better about myself and I feel like I can conquer the world.

I have had several obstacles that had to get through in order to be the person I am today. I have a severe hearing problem and balance disorder. If that wasn't enough, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis about 2 months ago, following a laparoscopic surgery. To top it all off, I have to have major surgery in about a month to separate all the tissue in my abdomen from the endometriosis. If this surgery works, then my husband and I will hopefully be able to get pregnant! Fingers crossed!

I'm not going to tell you that these past few months have been easy, because they have been difficult and trying at times. During this time I resigned from my job after being on disability for my hearing/balance, since they didn't have a job available for me. I also had my laparascopic surgery for endometriosis and got hearing aids. Oh, and I can't forget my hormone injections that mimic menopause! Oh fun!

I am telling you all of this because during this time......I exercised regularly (5 times a week), I started working out 8 days post surgery, I became a certified personal trainer, and I started a new job as a personal trainer. All of these things happened because of my positive thinking and envisioning myself as a personal trainer and living my dream. I would NOT feel this way, if I did not exercise and eat healthy. 





"Like" Lori's Facebook Page at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/LTFitness/222128364534346?sk=wall

Here's to Acknowledging our Moments of Willpower

Here's to acknowledging our moments of willpower ~ Jill Badonsky

Don't you just love it when your day starts with accomplishing small goals that help you make your dreams come true? Not only does it feel good to make small steps towards the big dream, the vision, but the rest of day just seems to continue to be a good day, no matter what obstacles might come up.

I actually wrote that introduction last Sunday morning after accomplishing my writing goals early in the morning. How fitting that it is so timely for me this Saturday morning as well. I've been working third shift the last. I decided to get back into the normal weekday routine I'd like, I would get up at 5:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday. I am hoping that come Monday, rolling out of bed at 5:30 am to work out and write before work starts to become old hat.

After psyching myself up all day on Friday to get to bed at 9 PM and reminding myself how good it feels to work out and write before work, my hopes and dreams were dashed when I was woke up at 11 PM. When I was still awake at 1 AM, I turned off the alarm and decided getting some good rest was more important. I had only slept and shout and a half after working a thirteen hour shift on Friday morning.

But it must have been in the cards for me to start this routine. I woke up naturally right before 5:30 AM, just as I had planned. I tried to roll over and go back to bed, but the cat was determined to get his breakfast so I went ahead and got up.

So even though I am behind in my week day routine, it does feel nice to be up and have both my exercise and writing goals done for the day. It took quite a bit of willpower to get up and get going, but I feel great!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Here's to Life's Conveniences

Here's to life's conveniences ~ Jill Badonsky

Today in Kansas City, it was over 100 degrees and it's supposed to be even hotter tomorrow. Thank goodness for air-conditioning.

Another of life's conveniences is the farming equipment that our farmers have today.  I'm knee deep in researching harvesting in the 1860s for A Place to Call Their Own. And even though I was a "town kid," I knew that much of the farm work, even in the 80s, was done in air-conditioned cabs of the tractors and combines.

So here's to life's conveniences, most specifically air conditioning, during this extremely hot and humid summer. And here's to meeting my #writinggoal for the day.

Book Review: Rainwater

Sandra Brown's Rainwater is a story set in 1934 Texas during the Great Depression.  Rainwater refers to David Rainwater who comes to stay at Ella Barron’s boardinghouse.  He is terminally ill and his doctor suggests he stay at the boardinghouse in his final days.  After his stay, he changes Ella’s life forever. 

I think the first thing that hooked me on this book is that it’s written as a memoir.  The novel is a retelling of the story by a character in the present.  It’s very intriguing to continue reading to figure out who is telling the story. 

I was also drawn to its setting in the 1930s.  I don’t know if it’s the current economic condition, but I am enthralled with the 1930s.  Of course, Boardwalk Empire and Mildred Pierce on HBO help fuel my desire to know more about life in the 1930s.     One of my works in progress is set during the 1930s, thought it will focus on Hollywood in the 1930s.

If you like historical stories, you’ll like Rainwater.

Defining Boundaries

Setting boundaries with your writing goes along with developing and following routines.  There are times that you will need to put down the writing and focus on "life" activities.  This is something I've been struggling with myself the last couple of weeks.  In my quest to create routines and boundaries, I've spent a bit too much time on social media, and bit less time on working on my important works in progress.

There are two different types of boundaries that I think of when I talk about setting boundaries.  The first boundary is a physical boundary so that we can work on our craft.  For some of us, this is easier than others.  Some writers find that space in the home office; that space is sacrosanct to others in the home.  Some writers find solace and peace and productivity by heading to the local coffee shop, restaurant, or public library.  Whatever works for you, find a space that is conducive to your creativity and productivity.

The other boundary that needs to be defined for writers is the time boundaries for writing and time for the other things that are important in your life.  As a writer, I work on my writing projects (which includes this blog), read to develop my craft, read other fiction to learn about the craft, and spend some time on social media to develop a platform of followers. 

Most advice I read says that at a minimum, a writer should work on one page a day (250 words).  What I do is set my timer for 15 minutes and and get to work.  Usually, the fifteen minutes is up right as a I get into a groove and the creativity starts flowing.  Some days I can continue and work longer.  Most days I have to stop writing and move on to my next task.  Only when I feel blocked do am I challenged by writing for fifteen minutes a day.

Reading has never been a challenge to fit in.  I've always been an avid reader and enjoyed reading.  What has been a challenge for me is too much on social media and not enough time to the craft of my writing.  A new friend of mine (through Twitter) also blogged about the subject of stepping away from the social media.  This week my goal is to devote more time to working on my novel, to keep up the daily blog entries, and to find more balance in my personal life. 

Do you have a hard time setting boundaries and getting it all done?  I'd love to hear your comments.  Have a great week everyone!

You Can't Use Up Creativity

You can't use up creativity.  The more you use, the more you have.
Maya Angelou

Yesterday was Maya Angelou's birthday.  When I read this quote, I knew that she was speaking directly to me.  This is much like the Abundance principle taught by Stephen Covey in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People or Rhonda Byrne in The Secret.  If you use your creativity, you gain more.  This is a hard lesson I’ve learned in the last two weeks.

I’ve said before in this forum that I used to worry about running out of interesting things to blog about.  However, I knew I needed to figure out how to make this become a daily routine to help my writing career blossom.  So I took a leap of faith a couple of weeks ago and just started blogging on a daily basis.

I have to share, I feel pretty proud of myself.   I’ve made a blog entry every day for the last two weeks, sans a couple of weekend days (My weekend days, which are Fridays and Saturdays to most of you).  And, I know that I’m supposed to post something every day, and that successful writers don’t take days off.  I also understand the importance of blogging every day and how that helps my fiction writing.  I’m getting there.  This week I am two posts ahead of schedule which should help with this issue.  I have also started reaching out to some colleagues and asking for guest blogs.  Now that I have a small following on Twitter and the blog itself, I know that there are supporters out there looking forward to my daily post. 

One thing that has helped me create an entry is reviewing/reflecting on the recent books I’ve read myself.  That has brought easy, immediate topics.  I have about a year’s worth of good reading to talk about.  Another easy topic has been the television programs I’ve been watching, that are worth blogging about.  Right now, the most noteworthy is Oprah and her episodes she did herself on Master Class.

Previously, I thought that non-fiction writers had an easier job of coming up with daily blog topics.  Now I know that fiction writers can come up with them just as well.  So, if you’re an aspiring writer like me, trying to build a platform, just start blogging.  Blog about whatever comes to mind:  the latest book you’ve read, TV show you’ve watched, or event that you attended.  As plain and simple as it may be, there are supporters out there who are interested in what you have to say.  Go for it!

If you’re new to blogging/writing, do you feel the same way?  If you’ve been at this a while, would you agree?  I’d love your comment either way!  Have a great day, everyone!

Living on Earth may be expensive, but it includes an annual free trip around the sun. - Unknown

Whether you're a writer, business owner, lawyer, or doctor, I hope you are enjoying your annual trip around the sun.  No matter what you do, I hope you are doing what enjoy most and making the most of your experience.  Life is to short to not enjoy yourself and what you do. 

With my new energy I'm putting into my work, I've been reviewing my five principles.  For those of you who are new to following me, they are Create a Vision, Set Goals, Develop and Follow Routines, Define Boundaries, and Find a Friend.

Since October, my Vision has remained the same:  to become a traditionally published author during a time of extreme change and upheaval in the publishing world. 

My goals have changed.  I originally set a goal to finish A Place to Call Their Own by December.  Based on my current work schedule, I changed that goal to be done by the end of September this year.  The fourth quarter at work is very busy, if I don't have it finished by September, I might not be able to get to it by the end of this year. 

Another goal last year was to create a freelance writing career.  Just like anything else, this has been a process.  I am hooked up with a client that provides me fairly  and have made his "Elite" team of reliable and proven writers.

I continue to work on my routines.  The last few weeks with a new shift at work, I've been focusing on personal routines.  Now that I seem to be getting the personal routines down, I need to weave the writing routine back into my daily life.  I've always said with all five of my principles, constantly revise.

Setting boundaries is another principle I've been focusing on.  I have a new distraction in my already busy life, it's called Twitter.  Just tonight I tweeted during the #Oprahtweetlive event.  I got retweeted, I was so excited!  I have new routines thanking new followers, finding new writers, editors, publishers, and agents to follow, and shout outs to my new followers.  Again, I'm trying to develop some routines and set some boundaries around the time I spend on Twitter.

Finding new friends has been easy on Twitter!  I've blogged before I never understood all the valuable information being sent out on Twitter.  I now enjoy clicking all the links and reading all the articles.  I continue to enjoy the new friendships and support I'm receiving from my followers.  I also love shouting out to my fellow writers and helping them promote their work. (And don't worry, I'm getting my fix of celebrity and current entertainment tweets as well!)

What a whirlwind couple of weeks!  I'm back to writing every day again (oh, how I've missed you #dailywriting!), I'm adjusting to my new third shift schedule at work, and I'm slowly building a platform on Twitter.

Do you have a set of principles you live/work by? Your comments are welcome!

Reflections after Reading Nowhere to Run

Nowhere to Run is the first novel I've read by C.J. Box.  I thoroughly enjoyed the action, plot twists, and character growth that play out in the story.  Nowhere to Run is the story of Joe Pickett as he tries to close out his temporary game warden gig in Wyoming.  Caught up in one final investigation, which he narrowly escapes, his temp job lasts just a few weeks longer than he expects.

I've mentioned before that reading action and adventure novels helps me to build tension within my own writing.  Reading other novels works as a model that I follow when crafting plot twists and turns and keeping the story interesting.  A Place to Call Their Own is a historical adventure story of two men who venture out West after returning home from the Civil War.

I also like reading about stories that take place in locales with which I am familiar.  Living in Colorado for thirteen years, Wyoming is like the backyard.  It's easier for me to get into stories when I can relate to the setting.

There are other novels about Joe Pickett.  I might just have to check those out as well.

So, to my fellow writer friends, I ask, do you also find insight when reading other genre's outside of what you write?  And to my reader friends, I ask, do you like reading about locales with which you are familiar or do you like to read about places you've never been?  Feel free to comment below...

Have a great week, everyone!

New Routines

Here is a picture of  late Spring flowers I took some years ago.  Earlier this week I wrote about my new adventures on Twitter.  The picture reminds me of some new Spring routines I've been able to get back to this week, thanks to Twitter.

The first routine that I’m happy to report is back is working on novel!  I mentioned yesterday that thanks to a newspaper article, I’ve found some inspiration and new direction for my novel to follow.  Yesterday I had to reluctantly stop writing when the timer went off because I did need to get some rest after already working a nine hour day.

The second new routine I have is making a blog entry everyday.  This has gone hand in hand with working on A Place to Call Their Own.  I should have listened to some of the advice I’ve read about that said to just write, even if it was a crazy free write for just fifteen minutes a day to keep that habit going.  Honestly, what worries me about blogging every day is running out of interesting topics to keep readers coming back.  I do have to admit, coming up with topics to blog about has been easy this week.  I even remembered to include a picture with today's post!  I just took a bit of encouragement and some new “friends.”

And my favorite new routine is thanking all my new followers on Twitter.  Showing thanks and gratitude for what I’m given has always been  an important principle to me.  I love being able to thank each and everyone of my new followers every day.  It’s been more exciting than watching the Friends list grow on Facebook!

One of the last routines I've started is reviewing all the great information being put out there.  I love all the new information I’m being exposed to with all my new writer friends I’ve found on Twitter.  I am finding myself setting a timer so that I don’t spend too much time getting lost in all the posts and moving on to things like sleeping, eating, and cleaning… :-)

I hope everyone is having a great week, I sure am.

Here's to Feeling a Peak Experience in the Creative Process!

Today's blog title comes courtesy of the Toast of the Day from The Awe-Manac by Jill Badonsky.  And what fitting title it is.  I wished it was because I had reached a peak in my creative process and that A Place to Call Their Own was done.  That couldn't be farther from the truth.  Today I wanted to talk about writer's block and my experiences of it in my writing journey.
I've been blocked from progressing my novel for a few months.  I have slowly limped back into it last week, partly from just reading some helpful articles.  Most of the advice, is "just do it" and so I have been setting my timer, set down at the computer, and hammered away at the chapter I'm working on.
At first I thought my block was coming from exhaustion at work.  This was my first Holiday Season at my new job and it as quite exhausting.  Then the opportunity came to start a new project at work.  That meant changing to a third shift schedule and I jumped at the chance, hoping to fit more writing time in my day.
But then I realized that my block is coming from my story being so, so incredibly boring at this point.
 Yes, I need to spice things up a bit.  And that is still the question of the day that I'm working on.  But in the meantime, I wanted to share some links to some helpful articles that have helped me at come to this conclusion, and at the same time, keep steadfast in my writing (click to open in a new tab or window or the link will appear over the blog):

Here's an inspirational article that really speaks to me about the art of being a writer:

http://mfainabox.com/blog/the-wannabe-writer-12-27-10/

I applied this article to my business writing this last week.  My (male) boss recently told me I write well in emails, but way too much!

http://networkedblogs.com/fz0ny

And this is the article that helped realize what I was writing was boring right now:

http://writersdigest.com/article/3-secrets-to-great-storytelling

And here are links to The Awe-Manac on Amazon and Barnes and Noble:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Awe-manac-Daily-Dose-Wonder/dp/0762431253/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300719612&sr=1-1

Barnes and Noble:  http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Awe-manac/Jill-Badonsky/e/9780762431250/?itm=1&USRI=jill+badonsky

And here's Jill's Website: http://themuseisin.com/

What most of these articles have done is helped me remember my vision and long term goal:  to be a novelist.  My specific goal for this week is to remember my vision and get the novel moving again.  Have a great day, everyone.

New Year's Revolutions

When you were kid, did you ever hear a word and think it meant something else?  There were two that stick out in my mind.  The first was a prayer we used to say at dinner time where we said, "Let us thank Him for our food."  I always wondered why we thanked God for the salad (even though we didn't always have salad) but not the rest of the meal?   The other word I mixed up as a kid was New Year's Resolution.  The first year I remember hearing about them, I thought they were New Years Revolutions.

When you think about it, New Year's Resolutions can be "revolutions."  I quit smoking in 1997 after making a New Year's Resolution that year.  That lifestyle change was pretty revolutionary to me at the time.  I didn't start that project until April of that year.  In 1998, I made a resolution to return to school to finish my bachelor's degree.  I accomplished that in May of that year.  Both years, I knew in January what I wanted to accomplish and I knew that January wouldn't be a good time to start working towards those goals.

Working towards goals and projects don't always have to start at the New Year to be successful.  Even if you do create New Year's Resolutions and resolve to start working on them right away, don't get discouraged when things don't work out the way you want, you have the whole year to accomplish most goals.

If you have made a resolution to get your novel done this year, remember you have the whole year to do it in.  Don't  get discouraged if work is busy right now or other personal projects are getting in the way of your writing (refer to one of my posts about routines to help with this, maybe?).  I made resolution last year to finish A Place to Call Their Own.  I haven't come anywhere near finishing it, but had I not made a resolution last year, I don't know if I would have eight chapters written right now.

If nothing else, this New Year has helped me re-examine my routines and goals and make sure that they are workable within my current schedule.  Remember, set goals and routines, but constantly revise them to make sure they are workable for you.

What about you, what New Year's "Revolutions" are you working on?

The Importance of Routine...

As a writer, I am constantly reading fiction to help me with my writing; I also read a lot of non-fiction.  Sometimes I choose non-fiction books to help me with a particular subject I'm researching.  I've been reading some great books about the craft of writing that are already helping me in my quest to become a better writer.  One of the most simple, and profound, lessons I've learned about plot and action is that plot and action are derived from an interruption in the character's routines.  Most character action is then centered around restoring that routine in their lives.

I just finished reading Rainwater by Sandra Brown  How timely it was for me to discover how the main character's life in a small, Depression-era town is disrupted by the arrival of Mr. Rainwater.  And yes, true to my writing lessons, the entire novel is dedicated to the restoration of order in Ella's life.

My personal life routines have been interrupted the last ten days as well.  Transition from one job to another left me without Internet access at home for about ten days.  Now that it's restored, it feels so much easier to complete writing tasks such as working on A Place to Call Their Own and this blog.  I even asked my partner if some of his lupus discomfort lately may have been exacerbated by the interruption in our lives.

So my lesson for you this week, no matter what quest you're currently pursuing, is to make sure that you are following the routines you've set out for yourself.  I know that for ten days, my routines were disrupted after working very hard to establish some aggressive writing routines to achieve some aggressive writing goals.  Another other lesson I learned recently is to have a back up plan ready to go when my routine is disrupted.

I also got the second part of A Place to Call Their Own posted on iWriteIt.com.  Here's a link, happy reading:

http://www.iwriteit.com/author_page.php?a=L.+Dean+Pace-Frech&u=1070

Have a great week!

Don't Give Up...

I'm starting this blog entry with a poem shared by my Tupperware Distributor a long time ago when I sold Tupperware:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but DON’T YOU QUIT!
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When you might have won had you stuck it out.
DON’T GIVE UP, thought the pace seems slow ~
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is Failure turned inside out ~
The silver tine of the clouds of doubt,
And you can never tell how close you are;
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the flight when you’re hardest hit ~
It’s when things seem worst that you
MUST NOT QUIT! - Author Unknown

It's been a busy week, again, and not for my writing.  The novel doesn't seem to be moving forward and this is the first blog post in nineteen days.  So what am I doing about it?

I am revising my writing plan and getting back to it.  Thankfully I have my routine in place to refer to in times like this.  I am rearranging it to start my Writing Week on Saturday which works best for me.  I also started some new routines this weekend around exercising in the morning, which should help with daily routines during the week.

Don't be afraid to write down your routines and goals.  When you get off track, like I have been, you can refer to those best laid plans when you are ready and get right back to it.

I've included a picture of our walking path in Bentonville, AR as reminder of the writing journey on which I travel.

Develop and Follow Routines: Back in the Saddle...

After six months of working a crazy schedule in a retail environmentl, I am just finishing the third week of a new job.  What makes this so significant for me is that I've been able to return to a regular writing routine.  This includes writing for this blog on a regular basis.  Even this week, working evening hours, I've made it a point to use my morning time as I would my "evening time" and get exercise, chores, and writing accomplished every day.  A Place to Call Their Own is progressing nicely, and I'll have two blog posts this week.  (FYI:  I'm hoping to post the next section of A Place to Call Their Own on iWriteIt.com next week.)

The other routine I've made sure to keep up this week is my reading.  I have read at least a few minutes each night, both in my fiction as well as my non-fiction topics.  This commitment to reading has helped me relax at night and get to bed at a decent hour.  This, of course, so I can be up by seven the next day to start again.

The reason I'm sharing this with you this week is so that you understand my commitment to making the best out of an undesirable situation.  I knew going into this new job that I would have the possibility of working later hours.  And knowing that, I also have commitments to not let my work schedule get in the way of my writing schedule.

Another catalyst for my situation is the fact that we're sharing a car.  I have to get up and take Thomas to work.   I used to be able to get up, run a quick errand, and go back to bed.  The older I get, once I'm up, I seem to be up for the day (although a nap about one or two in the afternoon is always good!).

The other catalyst that has made this week so productive is the fact that I prefer to write and create in the morning rather than the evening.  These mornings I set my fifteen minute timer just to make sure I do my fifteen minutes a day.  After the timer goes off, I tend to linger as much as I can (the timer went off at the beginning of this paragraph!  I have a wedding shower gift to wrap today!).  When I'm working more of a standard shift, and I don't' get up in the morning early enough to write, I'm usually done mentally as soon as that timer goes off.

Whatever the routines you've set for yourself, I hope they are working.  Constantly revise your routines to make them fit work for you and your family, whether or not things like your career or your children's schedules are getting in your way.  When you have solid routines in place and goals that you're reaching for, it's so much easier to get back in the saddle when your schedule gets disrupted.