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!

I was at the gym working out the other day, and a woman I see regularly approached me. She said, “I see you running all the time, and it reminds me of how I used to be. I love to run, but can no longer do it because I have a pacemaker.”

I told her that I enjoy running, but some days it's not as enjoyable because I'm inside running on a treadmill.

She looked at me and said, “At least you get to run.”

I had to think long and hard about that. If I couldn't run, what would I do? I see her at the gym all the time on the elliptical or lifting weights, and she is fit and happy. I take for granted, that my body allows me to run.

 

The next day, I ran for a different purpose--not just because I feel like I should, but because I can.

The same lesson applies to my writing. People tell me, “I’ve always wanted to write a book, but I don’t have time.” Or, “I’ve always hated to write, but one day I’ll write a book.”

Today, I looked at my writing with a different purpose. One of my dreams was to publish a book for my dad to see. Unfortunately, I waited too long. Now I write not only because I can, but because I don't want to have any other regrets.

Writing is hard. There are days that few words come out. There are other days that I write and feel like I can't stop. Of course, those are the days I enjoy more, but the days I struggle are worth it. The days that I struggle are the days I know I have worked toward my goal of no regrets.

Just as I fight the boredom of running on a treadmill, and fight the days that I don't feel like running, I fight to put the words on paper.

 

In the end, I know that pushing myself will net the gains I desire whether I'm running or writing.

Musings on MusaPublishing

 

After I wrote my novel, 2012: The Rising, I started sending queries to agents. I had some requests for chapters and full manuscripts, but because time was so short, I thought I should entertain small presses as well.

Another search ensued, and I sent more queries out. One evening in March 2012, I was surprised by an e-mail I received. It was from Matt at Musa Publishing. He said he was intrigued by my story, and wanted to offer me a contract.

I sat in disbelief. Could this be real? Was I finally getting the opportunity to publish my novel?

When I got the contract, I reviewed it, signed it, and did the few things that Musa asked me to do. Then I was introduced to an incredible group of writers at the Musa family. They are supportive of each other, and share a lot of helpful information. The staff is approachable, and that makes for a wonderful environment.

I feel blessed to be part of Musa and to be surrounded by such talent. Musa is growing, and they have already shown in the short time they have been around, what a mighty force they are.

I wasn't completely sold on e-books before Musa, but e-books are here to stay. I have joined the revolution, and even ordered a Kindle Fire!

If you are an author, I would encourage you to submit to Musa. If you are a reader, I would encourage you to browse their books and see the quality of work they produce. You'll never meet a harder working group of people, who really care about authors and readers.

 
It's hard to be an author, but the journey is easier and more enjoyable when you belong to a community as wonderful as Musa.