I have a long commute. It's approximately fifty-seven miles to work, and fifty-seven miles back home. That takes almost two hours out of my day. However, I am lucky because there is no traffic, and the speed limit is 75 mph.

Sometimes when I drive, I sit in silence and think. It is a nice time for reflection and for brainstorming. I have also found that I can be productive during that time, by dictating story scenes and blog posts.

I often think about how much time I have wasted in my life. Time that I cannot get back. I am incredibly busy, cramming as much as I can into every moment that I am awake. I want to be able to say that I lived my life well, and I didn't squander it away.

I am proud to finally be a published author, and am thrilled to know that I have a novel, short stories, and legal articles out there that show that I do exist. I may never be a well-known author, but what I have produced leaves behind a footprint showcasing one of my talents.

This would never have happened if I hadn't finally taken a chance on myself. I remember the day my first story was accepted for publication. It was a nonpaying magazine, but I was thrilled to know that an editor thought my writing was good enough to print.

After I got that first acceptance, I knew I had to continue putting myself out there, so I did. Yes, there have been several rejections, but they don't hurt as much as I thought they would. I don't take rejection personally, and I don’t have time to dwell on why I was rejected. I just send it out again, and hope that I find the right match.

I have enough confidence in my own abilities to know that I can write, and sometimes I get lucky enough to share it with others. Every submission is nerve-racking, but if you don't continually take a chance on yourself, you will never know what success feels like.

Zebekiah is a lovely brindle pit bull. We adopted him when he was a year and a half old, and he clearly came from a traumatic past. Zeb is an independent dog. It took almost six months for him to understand that he was in a family that loved him and would never hurt him. He is now gentle, affectionate, and loving. At five years old, he acts like a pup, running and playing with anything he can find.

Unfortunately, pit bulls have a bad rap. They are banned in many cities and counties because they are very strong dogs and can do a lot of damage.

One day, I took Zeb to work with me because he had to go to the vet. Some of the people in my office were worried about encountering a pit bull. The stereotypes surrounding the breed are what people think of first. After meeting Zeb, my coworkers realized that pit bulls are not horrible animals. One of my coworkers sat on the floor, and Zeb backed up, sat on his lap, and put his head on my coworker’s shoulder.

Zeb is a fine example of how stereotypes and perceptions can mar a person's thoughts. As writers, we try to step outside of stereotypes and perceptions. We write to entertain, and to bring new thoughts and ideas to people. At one time, strong female protagonists weren't common. But now, those stereotypes have been broken. At one time romance novels weren't very detailed in the sex scenes. Now, writers have changed ideas, and erotica has become its own genre.

Writers shouldn't be afraid to challenge stereotypes and perceptions. The viewpoints and story may not be popular, but controversy can boost sales.

Break out of the ordinary, challenge your own stereotypes and perceptions, and see where it leads you. With Zeb, I was able to show that not all pit bulls are mean. With my writing, I can also step into another realm, where I can change people's thoughts and ideas—or at least make them think.

 

Making Something From Nothing

I enter a quilt contest every year. It's called Ugly Duckling/Beautiful Swan. I buy a brown paper bag that contains four mystery fabrics, one yard each. Out of those four yards of fabric (that don't necessarily match), I must create something beautiful. I have entered this contest for the past seven years, and for the first few years, I did well. But the last several years my quilts have been last-minute rush to get it done.

The bad thing is, I buy the fabric in the late summer and the quilt is not due until the end of May—of the next year. When I get my fabrics, I tried to envision something, hope for inspiration, and always promise myself that I will get it sewn and done well before the beginning of May.

I have yet to do that.

When I am creating a quilt design, I have to think a lot about the end product, and what others will like. The same is true of my writing. I spend a lot of time thinking about plots, holding onto the ones that seem viable, and tucking away other ideas for future mulling. When I sew a quilt, it is one stitch at a time. When I write, it is one word at a time. In the end, both quilting and writing should produce a beautiful swan.

Sometimes I succeed, and other times I don't. But because I enjoy both sewing and writing, I will continue to make something out of nothing.

 

Maggie is our Belgian Shepherd. She's a funny dog, and at eight years old, shows no signs of slowing down. Maggie is also a stubborn dog. She knows she's not supposed to lie in the middle of the floor where everyone walks, she knows she's not supposed to steal treats from the other dogs, she knows she's not supposed to bark when there’s nothing to bark at.

Maggie has a mind of her own. Sometimes you have to say her name several times in order for her to obey. Other times you just walk around her or give up because she's already stolen the treats or has come inside the house and has quit barking.

Every writer has a stubborn streak. We write and want to hold onto all of our words. Editing is a rough process. We love our words, and we want to give them a fighting chance. But if they aren’t necessary, why do we keep them?

Editing is like asking us to give away a prized possession. If an editor or asks us to cut words, that stubbornness rises and we think it’s impossible to find anything that doesn't belong.

I find that editing is my favorite part of the writing process; the hard part is over. I struggle the most when trying to get the first draft out. Editing is my chance to perfect what I'm trying to say, and to be as objective as possible. Objectivity doesn't come easily because of the stubborn person inside, so I redline, and read my manuscript both ways. Most of the time, I find that the edits make my story stronger. Then, I don't feel so bad about letting go of my hard work.

Sometimes it's okay to be stubborn, if you really can justify the need. But don't take up the fight just to fight. Try editing the way your editor, a beta reader, or your critique group suggests, and let go of that stubbornness. It may be the best decision for your work.

Welcome to 2013!

My husband and I talked about our resolutions.  He commented that most people make them and break them before the end of January. I told him that my resolutions were going to be few and easy.

My first goal is to write more consistently. In making this kind of goal, I have to be realistic about my time constraints and other obligations. Instead of telling myself I have to write every day, knowing I’ll blow this within the first week of the New Year, I decided that I will write 2,000 words a week. It’s attainable, and won’t put so much pressure on me that it will become a burden instead of a joy.

My second goal is to read more.  I read my magazines at the gym on the days I don’t run, but I don’t spend enough time reading books. I have several titles stacked up, and I resolve to read ten pages every day. It doesn’t sound like much, but seventy pages a week will add up!

My last goal is to be content. I spend a lot of time worrying about everything that needs to be done, and sometimes the stress stops me from doing anything. I shall celebrate the accomplishments, analyze (but not dwell on) the disappointments, and move on to other opportunities.

Resolutions aren’t made to be broken. My goals for 2013 may be short, but they can be reached.

May your 2013 resolutions be fulfilled, and may you have good health, peace, and blessings!

My Rottweiler, Isamu, is a beautiful dog. He has golden eyes that look at me with wonder when I talk to him, and a square chin that rivals Superman.

Isamu, or Sami, as we call him, is a large dog with many fears. There are certain parts of the floor that he's afraid of, and if he perceives a barrier is in his way, he gets frightened and won't walk around it. However, when he is outside, and sees a person, a car, or an animal, he is fierce. He barks, raises the hair on his back, and acts as if he is the protector of the world.

We have tried to help him overcome his fears, but at seven years of age, it doesn't appear that he will conquer them.

Conquering fears can be difficult. When I started writing, I had an incredible fear of rejection. I still worry about what people will say about my writing, but it isn't a paralyzing fear that stops me. If I want to be successful as an author, I must conquer my fears and realize that I can't please everyone.

Mean words hurt. As writers, we work hard. We write, edit, polish, and love our prose. No one wants to publish only to have others tear them down. But inevitably someone is going to make a comment that rips out your heart and makes you feel inadequate, worthless, or incompetent.

Somehow you must overcome that hurt, and write because you love it, and because your supporting audience loves it.

If you never conquer your fear, branch out, and put yourself out there, you'll never know success. Like Sami, I will always have fears, but will put on my bravest and fiercest face when I submit or publish anything.

Even if it’s politically incorrect, I’m going to say it: Merry Christmas!

 
Today is a day that is full of emotions. Some are happy, some are sad, some are disappointed, some are content. No matter where you fit on the spectrum, there is a story waiting to be written.

Is it baby’s first Christmas? A loved one’s last Christmas? The first Christmas without someone? What about the surprises, the smiles, the bloopers? What is the family dynamic?

When all the excitement dies down, take a moment to reflect on the good, the not so good, the not so bad, and the bad. These new memories may spark a great story, and once sold, help pay for all the gifts!

From me to you and yours, may your holiday be worth writing about!