Sorry, it's a day late but better late than never, right?  

Yesterday started another blog challenge and naturally, I signed up. I even brainstormed post ideas and planned to have a bunch ready to go.  But, like the best laid plans of mice and men, that plan went asunder.

That's not to say I didn't think about blogging yesterday, I thought of it several times. And I pushed the thought away each time. As I pondered blogging, I've come to the conclusion that I'm burned out one it. Years ago, I was a daily blogger and had several blogs going at the same time. It was fun then. There was interaction with the readers and it didn't feel like I was alone and unread.

I mean, seldom is a comment left, even when a pointed question is asked. Sure, the blog challenge people are good about commenting...they have to comment on at least three blogs. But, I've watched my numbers and for those who stop by, it's sad the number who don't leave comments.

As an author, the experts say a mailing list is one of the best way to get readers.  And I suppose that may be true, but getting people to sign up for your newsletter is harder than pulling hen's teeth.  

Or maybe I"m not doing it right. I'm kinda at a loss. I'm not sure whether I'll continue with this challenge, I've got 900 other things I need to be doing that seem to be more productive. And productivity is one of the things I've got to consider right now.

So, here's your change to prove me wrong.  Sign up for my "ever-so-often" newsletter to keep informed of what will be happening. We are planning some exciting stuff.   Also, am I the only one not seeing engagement on their blog? 

Here's an updated picture of my heathen,,,just because.  This was taken the first week of December, right after his 2nd birthday.

The other evening, I ate something that didn't agree with me. It was not pleasant to say the least. Thursday, I barely got out of bed to make it to the couch. I think I was on the couch for about 2 hours then went back to the bed. Friday, I was better buttook the day off from just about everything to rest and recover.

Then of course, the weekend happened and I was so busy catching up from two days of not being online that the blog suffered. So, what have I learned?

First, have a couple back up posts ready to go in case you need them. Me, I'm a spur of the moment blogger and don't generally have a post waiting so it's something I'm going to have to work on.

Also, posts can be scheduled ahead of time. That would have kept my streak alive. Again, it's something I'm going to have to work on for next time.

So...I'm back but not caught up. Will try to have a relevant and interesting post for tomorrow.  But until then, it's time to walk the heathen. :-)

One of the hardest things for some writers to figure out is “show, don’t tell.” I mean, we are technically telling a story. But, the reader doesn’t want us to tell the story; they want us to show them the story.

As a new writer, I heard “show, don’t tell” quite often.  And it took me a while to figure it out. In fact, after reading several blogs and articles about showing, I finally figured it out in a dream. I won’t share the exact dream image that helped me figure it, but here are a couple other examples that might help.

The cow was skinny.  This is telling.

The cow stood in a bare field, its hipbones and ribs visible under sagging skin.  It’s not the greatest example, but the reader can see the cow and how skinny it is.

The man was hot.  Telling.

The man pulled his wet shirt over his head. A sweat beaded on his forehead and ran down his back. Again, not the greatest example but again, it’s easy to see he is hot and sweaty.

She was angry. Telling.

She slammed the phone onto its holder then punched the wall. It's easy to see, she's upset.
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A bonus is the added word count.  Now, there are times when you do want to just tell some detail, and that’s cool. Just be aware and be intentional.

I’m decided to do a series of posts on something I’m sorta passionate about, so let’s talk shopping…

Let’s say hubby comes in the kitchen and says he wants burgers for dinner. Cool right? Except you have no ground beef. But that’s okay. Walmart is just right down the road so you can make a quick trip and pick up some.

So, you go in the store and head on over to the meat section and scope out the options. There are lots to choose from. Regular versus Angus and grass-fed. Brisket burgers with bacon, cheese, and even peppers. There are several different fat percentages too.  I usually get 93% lean, but often we get 85%. But there is also 73% and 97% too. Then there are different size packages ranging from just one pound up to ten pounds. You can even get premade burgers in several different flavors, fat percentages, and sizes. I even found a double-burger size the other day.

So, after some shopping, you decide on a package of Angus brisket burgers, preformed, and in a package of four patties. Then, you head to the cash register and pay for your purchase. Shopping…you searched for what you wanted and then paid for it.
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Today, I did some shopping too. I got wet while going from the car to the store and needed a new shirt cause we were going to the gym before going home and I didn’t want to go wet.  I headed to the workout clothes and looked for shirts on clearance. I found the clearance rack and browsed. They had the size I wanted but not the color. So, I decided I wasn’t that wet and would dry enough, so didn’t buy a shirt. I shopped.

Now here’s the thing and what I was going for.

When someone goes to the animal shelter or pet rescue, and look for a pet, they are shopping. They look at all the options, big dogs, little dogs, medium-sized dogs, hairy dogs, and not so hairy ones. They look for a dog that will fit their lifestyle whether active or couch potato. Some folks want an older dog that they don’t have to potty train, and others want a puppy they can raise with their kids. Some might want a smaller dog that will take less space than a huge dog like a Great Dane. And, like it or not, there are financial considerations too. I mean, that’s why a lot of older dogs with health issues are still in shelters and rescues waiting for a home.

Same thing for cats. Some folks are not cat people, …and some are aren’t dog people. It would be silly for a dog person to get a cat.

When a decision is made, and the perfect pet is picked out, paperwork is taken care of, and then fees are paid before you can take your new family member home.

This is shopping. I know many people use the “adopt, don’t shop” phrase, and it sounds good, but in all honesty, it’s still shopping.

I sincerely believe all dogs and cats in shelters and rescues deserve a home where they will be loved and taken care of. But, when folks who do shop for their pet are made to feel guilty for not “adopting” a shelter animal, it’s wrong.

I love that there are folks passionate about rescuing animals and making sure they are taken care of properly. I even volunteered at a shelter for a while and totally respect those who do it every day.
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But again, call it what it is. Rescuing, adopting, shopping…

​Happy Monday!
This weekend I took a break from the computer and read a book that I’ve read at least half a dozen times already. I leave this book on my kindle, and when I need to take a break, it’s always ready. I can open to any page and start reading and be right into the story. What is this book, you ask?
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Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. I purchased this book back in 2012 and still haven’t tired of it. 

First, I’m a horse person. I love books about horses. As a kid, I read The Black Stallion books over and over and over. Then there was the Island Stallion series. Black Beauty was also a favorite. When I read about carnivorous horses that come out of the sea and live on the land for a while, I was totally intrigued. Thing is, this story isn’t about the horses at all.

Secondly, I’m a writer, and this book is so well done.  We are introduced to two very different but very much alike characters. Both have wants and needs, but those wants and needs are at odds with the others. I love how the author makes us root for both characters and how if one wins and gets what they need, the other will have lost everything. Even now, after reading this book so many times, I’m still torn as the story unfolds and things don’t work out the way I’d like. And the end, well, let’s just say it hits you right in the feels. The first time I actually shed tears.

I finally got my daughter to read Scorpio Races about a year ago, and she loved it too. She isn’t a horse person, but even she teared up at the end.  I won’t spoil it for you, but you need to read this book. Seriously.
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How can you resist a story that starts with…”It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.”

Today is Sunday, again. Seems like it happens on a regular basis. :-)  So, I'm taking a day of rest and relaxing. I even took a nap this afternoon. I'll be back and blogging bright and early tomorrow. Well, okay, not bright and early. Tomorrow though. For sure.

I LOVE worksheets! I mean, I really love worksheets. From plotting, to structure, to character stuff, I love it all. I don't use a lot any more but I like knowing they are around if I need them.

And, the other day, I found a worksheet utopia. Here's a link. There's all sorts of worksheets to choose from...I just pulled up the romance idea one and yep, it's good. 

Also, if you join her "coterie" you get even more free worksheets.

Stop by, check it out, let me know what you think.

I’m sure most of you know about NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. Which just happens to be next month making this month…wait for it…Preptober!  That’s right! It’s time to get your NaNo idea out, polish it up, and get it ready to be written next month.
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Remember, the goal of NaNo is to write a 50k novel during the month of November. But just because you have to do all the writing next month doesn’t mean you can’t get ready. 

So, everyone got an idea? Cool. If not, get one.

As a “writer into the dark” kind of writer, I don’t do outlines. Not sure what that is? Check out my post from the other day. Here’s a link. But, just because I don’t do outlines, doesn’t mean I don’t prepare.

For example, I know my characters and some of their backstory. I know what they want and what they are willing to do to get it.

I also have some idea of where my story will take place. The town, maybe a few shops or restaurants, or a bar. I also might know who runs those places and if they are vital to the story.

And I’ll have a general idea of what happens in the story. Most of the time, I’ll have a beginning scene, and I’ll have the end in mind. That middle part, I discover in the dark.  
It’s been a long time since I’ve taken part in NaNo. Life happened, and then more stuff happened, and it just didn’t work out for me.

This time, I’ve got a kidnapped girl whose brother teams up with the daughter of the king who was killed by the same men who took the girl. Together they go on a quest, which  I can’t tell you about, that will help restore order to the kingdom. It’s going to be good.

If you saw my post the other day about bullet journaling, you’ll remember I have a journal ready for NaNo. I’m really looking forward to writing this story. It’s been simmering for a while and is finally ready.

So…who’s doing NaNoWriMo this year?

Today I thought I'd share a few pictures from my artist daughter. These are just a couple of her more recent ones. Hope you enjoy.

She also does book illustrations and custom covers. Here's a few of those.
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She also created the Seriously Awesome Books logo on the sidebar. I love how it incorporates  things from both my writing and my daughter's. So, if you need some art stuff done, let me know. I'll connect you. She's moving her website, but you can find her pictures on her Facebook page under Rebekah Lauzier.

Not so long ago, I scrolled through Facebook doing the procrastination thing and came across a link on writing, and since I was procrastinating, I watched it.  And then I shared it with my daughter and watched it again. Next, I went to Amazon and bought the book that the link video was based on.

Now, I’m telling you about it. 

But first…  When I started writing years ago, I didn’t do the outline thing. I wrote, then fixed what I’d written, then wrote some more. Yes, it took me a bit longer to get words on the page, but when I had them there, they were good words. I made up for the time spent getting them written and right by not having to revise near as much as most of my writer friends.

Then, after hearing how I needed to outline, how I needed to get words on the page and worry about fixing them later, how a blank page can’t be fixed, and all the other such lines, I started outlining. And, it took some of the fun out of writing since when I started I knew exactly what was going to happen. Boring!

Then I found the above-mentioned link. Which I’ll share in a moment. But, it was something I’d learned so many years ago at my first writer’s conference. 
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It was in Lousiana. The speaker was Deborah LeBlanc. (If you haven’t read her books, you need to.) She said something to the effect of why spend so much time revising and revising…why not do it right the first time.  I loved that because that was what I was doing. And it worked for me.

But then, I got sidetracked.

Thankfully, I found Dean Wesley Smith and his Writing into the Dark method.  This VIDEO explains it, and his BOOK goes into more detail.

​Basically…write. Let your creative brain take control and play. When you come to a spot when you don’t know what’s next, go back about 500 words or so and reread/tweak them. Time you get back to where you stopped; you’ll be ready to move forward again.  Of course, this is the simplified version so check out the video and get his book. You’ll be back thanking me later. 😊

And you know what’s even more fun? Writing into the dark, in the dark. I love to write in bed after everyone is asleep. Hubby is snoring next to me; I have a dog either beside me on the floor or at the foot of the bed. It’s quiet, there are no distractions, other than hubby snoring, and my creative brain is in charge.

Discovering where the story is going as I get there is so much more fun. Naturally, during the day, I ponder scenes and such, run bits of dialogue around for size, but the main plotting is done as I write. It feels good. 

You should give it a try. Especially in the dark!
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Happy writing…
 
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