The Right Headspace

Let's just start this post off by agreeing that writing is hard. Not just is it hard, but it's hard on our mental health. (Hello, three year break!) There are so many different aspects of this work, and each of them can be draining in their own way.

In drafting, I struggle with perfectionism. I want to put my best work down to begin with, but this often stops the flow of my words.  It acts as my block, and it's exhausting to break through it. It's not something I can flip a switch and turn off either. (But thanks for that suggestion, Hubby! At least you tried to help!) I need to be in the right headspace -- or frame of mind -- in order to step beyond that paralyzing need to be perfect. This particular challenge has gotten greater as my writing knowledge has improved. The story that I've been outlining and drafting while I was on my break has been the one I've struggled with most of all in this respect.

YOU SAID WHAT?!

In revising, well...it's easy to take comments too personally. (RE: the whole perfectionism thing) This is where I have to be REALLY careful with how and when I read comments from my CP's. I don't want to get my back up and be all...

SHE HATES ME!

I also don't want to read the comments when I'm feeling too vulnerable or sensitive, because then can I wind up all...

I've got this!

Sometimes that means waiting a few hours, and sometimes that means waiting a day or so to be able to dive into the comments and take them with a positive mindset...

Waiting is not my favorite thing to do. I'm an action taker -- I don't sit idly by for anything, I go after what I want -- so it's hard for me to wait. But I'm learning to balance that feeling by diverting my focus. 

I've made it a goal of this year, and this month specifically, to work on my craft every day, but specified that "working on my craft" includes reading, writing, critiquing, revising, blogging, social media, etc. So I don't feel hedged in and limited. I've allowed myself that freedom to escape my own mind's games. That way if I'm not in the right headspace for a critique, I've got a whole list of other things to work on to better my craft without feeling guilty or putting myself through the emotional wringer.

I'm hoping that I've come back to this world with enough clarity from my break to keep the positivity flowing. And I hope that maybe my experience will help another writer who has struggled with the same things to not feel alone out there. Sometimes it's nice to have someone who understands to just say, me too.

Do you guys have any tricks for keeping yourself positive during this process? I'd love to hear them!

Parenting the MG Reader

Being both a mom and a writer adds a lot of complexities to the task of developing my children as readers. It has been heavy on my mind the past couple of months as I've watched one child blossom and the other struggle in my own home over their school reading requirements.

I don't know about the rest of the world, but in our school district the kids are on the Accelerated Reader program (AR for short). Which means they read a book and then take a comprehension test on it, which earns them "points" toward their goals for the term.

Within this system the kids are also given reading levels and goals to reach in that regard as well. For Super Spawn, who is now 9 and in 4th grade, he's reading at a 7th grade level as of the beginning of winter break. Curly Girl is 7 and in 2nd grade, and she's reading at a 3rd grade level. Which is great!

Until I take them to the book store.

Super Spawn is big into middle grade fiction, which is wonderful. I've been sharing some of my all-time favorites with him this year. HARRY POTTER, PERCY JACKSON, MAGYK, and more! The issue arises when we're standing in front of a shelf of hundreds of books and I have to pull out my phone and plug the titles into the AR search to see if 1. there's a test for this book, and 2. if it's in his pre-set range. Let the frustration begin.

New releases? Not in the AR system. Could take months for it to show up there.


What does he want to read? The newest LAST KIDS ON EARTH book, of course.


But guess what, even though it's now in the AR system, it's no longer in his range. He's moved above it level-wise. Except he loves this series, and he wants to read it no matter what. 

 And I'm supposed to tell him what? Sure, I'll get it for you and you can read it, but it can't count toward your school goals? 

Sorry, but that's a load of crap. It's almost like a punishment for reading something he loves just because it's below his level. I hate that for him. However, I still bought him the book.

With Super Spawn I also have the added challenge of appropriateness. Yes, he reads well above his grade level, and only continues to improve. We're reaching the point where books like DIVERGENT are falling into his reading range. Now, I LOVE that series. I own all the books and movies. But just because it falls within his capacity to comprehend it, doesn't mean he's at the right maturity level for it. *Cue freakout because he wants to read it, and he knows I've read it, and it's staring at him on our bookshelf begging him to read it*

Our kids are being pushed to challenge themselves to read more complex stories, which is fantastic. Until you hit that wall where they've leveled up beyond their maturity and their teachers are still pushing them farther.

In the case of Curly Girl she's being pushed really hard to read higher level books, which causes her to take less tests, to struggle with her goals, and to not want to read her AR books at all. They're pushing her too fast. Let her just be a 2nd grader for a minute! She will grow at her own pace! The transition from early readers to novels is a hard one for kids. Super Spawn struggled with it too. It just takes time.

All of this to say that I'm not sure putting all of these restrictions and guidelines on our children's reading is as beneficial as we (as parents) are told it is. Isn't there a better way? Wouldn't more freedom to choose help to grow their passion for reading far more than shoving a certain level of book down their throat?

As I writer I worry the implications this has on the novels we put out. What if, because of my sentence structure, my book is labeled as a 6th grade reading level, but the content is appropriate for a high school level of maturity? Is that going to automatically put my book in that "you can read it but it won't count" crowd? I'm not sure I like that one bit.

Do any of you have thoughts on this or similar experiences to share? I'd love to hear them.

I'm back!

I know its been about 300 years in writing world time that I've been gone. Time travels faster in fiction, you know. In the real world though, its been more like 3 years.

Why did I leave?

To finish my degree. I'm an accountant now!

Did I miss writing?

Tremendously. Every so often I'd tell my husband how I just needed to write, and that I was going to work on this new idea no matter how little time I had...and he'd smile and tell me to go for it, of course. Then I'd realize that the little time I thought I had actually didn't exist. Between work and kids and studying I had zero time to myself.

Which is why I'm so excited to be back at it full-force. School is done, and all those hours I was spending on studying I can now devote back to writing! Huzzah!

What did you miss while I was gone?

I got married! That's why the name has changed on the blog and twitter! Yay! I also gained a cute, silly diva of a step-daughter. Super Spawn has turned NINE and now reads MG fiction! Plus I got this furry beast of a puppy that I love to bits and pieces... his name is Barkley.

Sweet Barkley

He's just the cutest.


What am I working on?

I've got a couple irons in the fire. At the moment I'm working through a big revision of one of the novels I wrote several years ago. I've also got an outline of a NA Contemporary I'm looking forward to putting some work into.




I can't say for sure how much I'll be blogging. I'm testing the waters to see how they treat me. If you're inclined, drop me a line to say hello! I can't wait to hear all about everyone's projects and latest news!

Just an FYI - I'm leaving my old posts here. It's not all of them, because I switched platforms for a while and I didn't bother importing those over, but it's a good deal of them. I enjoy looking back and reading through them, so I'm going to let them stay.

Happy Halloween!

The day Super Spawn has been anxiously awaiting for about two months now is FINALLY here!  lol  My cute little kiddo is dressing up as Jack Sparrow tonight (complete with authentic dreads and pirate medallion lol).  He has been planning this costume since the beginning of September...seriously.

Oh, and this post is a 100% rambly about me kind of post, so fair warning.  :)

We spent the day yesterday baking (I had to make 2 dozen cupcakes AND 2 dozen sugar cookies for school!  Not to mention all the cupcakes and brownies for us to decorate. Gah! lol) and making fun concoctions for our annual Halloween get together.

Pinterest totally gets the credit for these. :)

Tonight we'll be having chili and hotdogs and trick-or-treating with some great friends.  I can't wait.

Do you guys have any Halloween traditions?  What will you be doing tonight?

Again With the Mommy Thing, Plus a Blog Award

Sorry, but I'm bursting with Mommy pride this week.  Just look at this cuteness!!

We don't start lessons for at least another week, and I don't know how I'll contain him until then.  lol  He's so enthusiastic about the violin -- and he's so, so careful and thoughtful with it.  It's quite the cutest thing I've ever seen.  (Although, my folder and notebook of revision stuff beside him isn't so cute.  Heh.)

This was the first time I let him hold the violin and the bow together.  :)  If you're wondering...that's a 1/10 violin.  They actually come even smaller!  It's crazyness.

Okay, I'm done being THAT mom now.  I promise not to bombard you with pictures again any time soon.  Or, well, until he starts lessons or something.  Hehe.

On the writing side of things -- I was given an award by Brit over at Pages and Stardust!  Thank you, Brit!

 

I'm supposed to pass it on to five other bloggers with less than 200 followers, so here we go:  (It's always so hard to pick just a few.  I feel like I'm cheating you guys out.)

Erinn

Alicia

Sarah

Meredith

and last, but most definitely not least Yahog Chi!

My Brain Hurts

My head is full to the point of bursting this morning.  You ever have those days?  So many thoughts swirl around up there at the same time, you're surprised they don't leak out your ears. 

Yeah.  That's me today.

Just a warning -- this is nothing about writing this morning.  It's purely mommy pride. 

Along with the revisions I've been working on, I've also been trying to figure out what kind of music lessons Super Spawn should start for a while now.

My gut reaction was piano, but kiddo has other ideas.

We've been watching lots of videos (thank you YouTube) of kids playing instruments and getting lessons to give him an idea of what it's like.  Well, something clicked.  We were watching a little girl play piano when Super Spawn points to the side of the screen and says, "WHAT is that?"

I click the video and explain to him that it's a little boy playing a violin.  It was a five-year-old playing in a huge concert hall.  So Super Spawn announces, "I'm going to play that.  I want a violin.  That's going to be me."  Then he shoved a t-shirt under his chin and held his little hands out and pretended to play.

And he has asked me every other minute since if I've bought him a violin yet.  lol

I played piano when I was a kid, so I'm not too sure what to expect from a violin, but I'm going to let him try.  :)  I'm excited that he's so enthusiastic.  Any words of wisdom for me out there?

Fun With Betas

I have awesome writer friends -- a bunch of them, in fact.  One conversation I had with Erinn this past weekend really highlighted all the attributes of my splendiferous group.  Read on, and prepare to giggle with us... (Or at us, you know, whatever.)

We were talking about an awesome MS we've both beta'd and this happened...

Me: I told her to get to work on book 2 lol

Erinn:  ME TOO!

Me: hahaha I wanna know what happens!

Are the {Characters} good or bad?!  I can't decide!

Erinn:  I KNOW!!!

It's awesome.

Me: It is.

Very awesome.

I kinda want to email her and make her tell me...because I'm impatient like that.

Erinn:  Do it, she'll love it.

Me:  Actually, I kinda want to blog about this exchange... lol

Erinn:  Do that too.

Me:  A "This is how you know you've got awesome writer friends" post

Me:  1 - You get texts throughout the day ranging from freaked out to excited because of Agent's tweets.

2 - You have awesome debates over IM about the awesome MS you both beta'd.

3 - Then you talk about what an awesome blog post it'll make. lmao

Erinn:  NICE

Me:  4 - You realize how many times you just used the word awesome.

Erinn:  5- You're sort of ashamed your vocab sucks so bad, because you know you're supposed to be a writer.

6- You say fuck it because anyone who uses big words sucks anyway and the word awesome is awesome.

Me:  HAHAHAHAHA

Yep, totally blogging this.

Erinn:  Nice

Me:  Do you wish to be named in the post or no?

Erinn:  YES NAME ME

 

Why yes, yes we do.

 

There you have it.  A typical conversation with one of my AWESOME writer friends.  I <3 my writer buddies.  They're all super awesome.

Having someone to share all of these moments with, all the ups and downs and nerves and triumphs and upsets is, well...  Awesome.

Patience: It ain't easy

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not very good at waiting patiently for things.  I'm the kind of person that when an idea lightening bolt strikes, the words must be written rightthissecond.

And revisions?  I pump through the work with more zest than a lemon.  (Ha, I crack myself up.)

If I start reading a book I expect to finish it within two days no matter what.  (Why do I do this to myself?  I don't know.  I'm insane I guess.)  I'm the same way at my day job too -- if I'm handed a project, it is completed with lightening speed.

I just don't wait around for anything.  I mean, I do my share of procrastination, but I'm also not going to let it get in the way of my (either perceived or pre-set) goals.  I'm a doer.  If I'm not doing something, working on something, I'm pacing the floor or pulling out my hair.

I'm not good at patience.

Except when I'm forced to be.  And I have been forced to lately for a whole host of different reasons.  To be honest, it has been really good for me.

Just an example -- those revisions I lost when my jump drive died, I had set them aside for about a week when I lost it all because something hadn't felt right with them.  I had decided to force a little more patience into my life and let them sit and stew to decide what the problem was.  Then the work was lost, and I was almost...glad.  I let it simmer a little longer and BANG!  Answer. 

If I had pushed through that feeling of doubt, which I normally would cast it off as just another writerly emotion, I'd still be trudging through a revision I hated deep down.  And why the heck would I do that?

So, all this to say:  Yay for patience.  I'm getting there -- reminding myself every day (or every hour when necessary) that patience is the key.  It's not easy, but it's something we've all got to come to terms with in every aspect of our lives I do suppose.  I'm working on it.

What about you all?  Are you naturally patient, or do you struggle with it like I do?

I'm back!

Sort of.  I'm still not totally sure what day it is...or what time it is...or where the heck I am.  lol  But I'm here!  *waves*

I was 100% without internet for the duration of my trip, and that was probably a good thing.  I needed a break to get back into tune with, you know, life.  Without the internet clouding my head, I also feel more in touch with my writing brain.  Which is an added bonus.

Our trip was fantastic.  There was so much laughter and excitement, it's a trip we won't soon forget.  Nor will my feet, which are still sore.  :P

 

As it turns out, my Super Spawn is a bit of a daredevil already at four.  He enjoyed the big rides like Splash Mountain and Test Track the most.

For those of you planning a trip with kids, we rented a stroller from Magic Strollers, and it was fantastic.  It was clean, great quality, and ready to pick up early.  In fact, I liked the stroller so much, I decided if I ever have another kid, I'll be buying one of them for myself.  lol

How has everyone been this week?  I feel so out of the loop!  What'd I miss?

Disney World -- Park Tips

Here I am again with my non-writing (but really writing) related posts on Disney World!

What?

;)  So, today I've got some tips on venturing through the parks.  I've been about eleventy billion times, so maybe this'll be useful for...someone...somewhere.

Anywho, on with the show.

Tip #1 - Wear sunscreen.  Oh my gravy please, please wear sunscreen.  I don't care if it's cloudy and overcast or chilly or whatever.  You WILL get a sunburn.  And so will your kids.  SUNSCREEN.  (Don't make me shout, I really don't like to.  My family calls me the sunscreen nazi for a reason.)

Tip #2 - If you go in the summer, it will rain.  Just embrace the idea.  It won't last long -- probably thirty minutes from storm onset to sunny skies.  Buy a poncho and enjoy the shorter lines.

Tip #3 - If you're going with small children, plan on an afternoon break at the resort.  The parks are HUGE.  There is tons of walking, and the kiddies are going to get cranky by 2pm.  You watch, I'm right.  (Also, Disney rental strollers?  So not comfy for sleeping.)

Tip #4 - Animal Kingdom is not an all day park.  If you plan to visit AK, I suggest you buy the park hopper option so you can morning in the AK and then jump over somewhere else for the evening and fireworks.  OH and for the safari, be there first thing in the morning to see the most animals.  ;)

Tip #5 - Yeah, so I know you're on vacation and all, but if you want to deal with less crowds, get to the park at opening.  For real.  I'm going to try and get some pictures for proof on this one (I may have some from the HP World trip, actually.). 

Bonus Tip #6 - Buy the water.  So, my senior year in high school my graduating class went to Grad Night at Disney.  For several days actually.  And I'll tell you, the prices in Disney are not cheap -- for anything.  So my bestie refused to pay their ridiculous prices for bottles of water.  Can you guess where that got her?  She collapsed on the sidewalk and wound up in an ambulance, and then the hospital.  I don't care how much the bottled water costs, buy it.  Stay hydrated.  It's incredibly important, especially in the summer months. 

There you have it -- Disney from a regular's perspective.  (Also, shoes -- don't be crazy, wear something comfortable.  These people in high heels in the parks just kill me.)

As they say in Disney, "Have a magical day!"

Disney World -- Vacation Planning Tips

I thought to occupy you while I'm in the Happiest Place on Earth, I'd share some of my knowledge of Disney World and Florida in general.

What does that have to do with writing?  Ummm...  Well, to be a good writer you've got to get out and experience stuff.  Live life.  Dream and then dream bigger.  That's what Disney is all about.

Plus, I write fairy tales, so I'm calling it research.  HA!  ;)

Tip #1 -  It is freaking hot down here.  Plan accordingly.  From June through September the temperatures will range from about 92 to 110 during the day.  The highest temps in July and August.  But just because you come in December, don't think you'll escape -- for New Years we wore light jackets in the mornings, and t-shirts all day.  (Although it's obviously much cooler than July, but you're not gonna find any snowflakes around here.)  Also, highest crowds are during summer vacation, spring break, and around major holidays.  Just an FYI.

Tip #2 - Don't get ripped off.  When you buy your Disney tickets, buy them through someone reputable.  You cannot buy someone's ticket who has only used 3 of their 5 days.  Disney uses a biometric scannery thing when you enter the park, and tickets are not transferable between people.

Tip #3 - Move to Florida.  What?  We get discounts just for living here.  :P

Tip #4 -  If you scroll to the bottom of the Disney World webpage, there's a link called Special Offers.  Right now I think they're offering a free dining plan if you come during certain dates.  Free!  Woopie!  You're welcome.

Tip #5 - Don't worry.  Disney never disappoints.  If you're going with someone with food allergies or special needs, Disney will bend over backwards to accommodate you.  The bakeries are even stocked with allergen-free goodies for the kids!  (I was SO excited to learn this.  Super Spawn is never able to get bakery treats because of his nut allergy.)

It's Here!

The long anticipated trip date has finally arrived!  Tonight is Super Spawn's Big Birthday Surprise reveal, and first thing in the morning we jet off to the Happiest Place on Earth!!

*cue sappy music*

SO, I will not be blogging regular stuff on Monday or Tuesday.  Because I'll be here:

Aren't you jealous?  ;)  I promise to share pictures upon my return.  Anyway, check in Monday and Tuesday for Disney World tips for your next vacation.

Happy Birthday Super Spawn!

My sweet boy turned four years old yesterday.  Four!  I can't believe the time has gone so quickly, but in the same breath I can't imagine ever being without him.  I'm not even sure who I was before I became his mom.

*Pardon me while I get all sentimental and mushy.  Feel free to skip over it. lol*

It's funny how children change you.  The day (well, night) Super Spawn was born I swear the whole world shifted.  I felt a jolt run through me when they laid him on my chest, changing me forever.  I was no longer the timid, shy girl who let people run over her.  I had morphed into Super Mom, ready to slay anyone who dared glance at my baby the wrong way.

Then it seemed like every day I surprised myself.  I was different.  I don't think I realized it in my sleepless daze, but I was stronger.  Ready to take on the world with a different outlook.  And every day after that I've grown.

Super Spawn pushes me to achieve my dreams without even knowing it.  He has taught me the true meaning of happiness and love by doing nothing more than being himself.  In his short four years of life, Super Spawn has helped me become the person I always wanted to be.  And I'm so thankful that I have him.

Happy birthday, sweet boy.  Mommy loves you.

Bloggity Blah

I'm having a blah day, let's do a check in!  

I'm chugging along through my WIP with my shiny new outline.  I'm really loving working with it surprisingly enough.  I even still feel like I have plenty of room for the spontaneity that comes with pantsing.  Which is awesome.  Just yesterday as I was writing along my characters surprised me with a quite genius bit of worldbuilding I hadn't even considered.  Which is, again, awesome.

Super Spawn has officially started summer camp (which is still at his school) and is enrolled for 4k in the fall.  His birthday is in just one short week, and our Super Disney Vacation is only two weeks away.  To say June is an exciting month would be a gross understatement.  ;)  I'm left sitting here wondering where the last four years have gone, and how my sweet baby has turned into such a sweet big boy.  *insert mushy mom-ness here*

So, how are all of you?  WIPs coming along nicely?  Query trenches treating you fairly?  I hope so.

Super Spawn Takes the Stage

I'm home with a sick Super Spawn (again) today. So, in lieu of a normal post, I give you video preciousness.

My adorable Super Spawn reading his favorite book, The Three Billy Goats Gruff. You'll see his hilariousness as he tells my mom (sitting with him) to shush and let him read the story his self.  I wonder where he gets that from...  ;)

Enjoy.

Another Day, Another Twist

I was going to give you another book recommendation today (because I read a really good one this week), but that will have to wait.

Sad news from a friend came this morning, and it has me in a thoughtful mood.  Life is strange, isn't it?  One instant you're planning your future, full of hope and joy and trust, and in the blink of an eye, everything changes.

The whole world shifts to conspire against you, one act of awful right after another.

Sometimes life feels like this, huh?  (credit)

Things like this always bring me back around to thinking about karma and religion and the finer principles of luck.  Don't worry, I'm not going to start spouting them off -- I know it'd bore you to tears.  ;)  But it does make me stop and ponder why bad things always seem to happen to genuinely good people.  I know it's not true for everyone, but I've seen a lot of it in my life.

It's actually something I've considered writing about -- The Karma Effect so to speak.  Would life really be better if good things only happened to good people, and bad things to bad people? 

I don't know.  But it's strange how life can lead you away from a thought and circle you right back around to it.  Maybe I should revisit that premise.  :)

Anyway, I'm not sad or anything, just full of philosophical thoughts.  Do you have days like that?  Days where you can't help but try and riddle through the secrets of the universe in your head?

Sometimes it Doesn't

credit

There's a lot of disappointment in writing.  You put your heart and soul into your words.  Pour every drop of blood, sweat, and tears you can muster into your plot and characters -- only to have someone come back and say it's not good enough.

Critique and feedback is important for writers.  It helps you grow as a person, as a writer, and as a storyteller overall.  But not everyone is going to envision your story the way you are.  Not everyone gets you.  That's news, huh?  ;) 

It's so, so important to only do revisions that resonate with you -- things that you really believe will make your story better and more encompassing of your original vision.  I'm sure I've given my share of not-taken feedback on MSs, and I've certainly had some advice that I decided against implementing.

And sometimes you'll question those decisions.  The most important thing though is that even as you question them,  you know you made the right choice.  Because if you had carried forward, and it hadn't gone the way you'd imagined, well, then you'd really be screwed.  I've always heard this, and tried to follow the advice, but having had the opportunity to actually experience it -- well, I'm really glad I heard it in the first place.  So I want to make sure you guys all hear it too.

Follow your hearts, lovelies.  You may be disappointed by the outcome, but there'll be no regret.

You guys are going to get sick of all of my self-realizations, aren't you?  ;)

That Darn Internal Editor!

Was it just me, or did yesterday fly by at the speed of light?  As I've mentioned, I'm planning big birthday surprises for Super Spawn's big F-O-U-R.  Naturally, I have lists everywhere (A whole Excel workbook, actually.  Yes, I'm serious.) and we're fast approaching the one-month-until-party-and-vacation point.

Which means I'm stressing over things like baking cupcakes and finding the perfect Scooby-Doo toppers for them.  :D  Along with emergency kits of benedryl spoons and travel sized shampoo.

Then last night I was sitting with Super Spawn watching Blues Clues, and I realized that stressing over cupcake toppers should probably not happen.  ;)  But I do that -- in regular life, and in my writing -- to the point that I freeze and throw my hands up in frustration.  I'm burying myself in minutia. 

And I do it with my writing a lot.  I get so focused on trying to make sure the voice is perfect, the tense is perfect, the grammar is right on, my sentence structure is sound -- that I can't see the story as a whole any more.

Whoa!  There's a forest out there!

So for the second time in as many weeks, I'm reminded that maybe I need to relax and let go a little.  Not of my lists though.  You'll have to pry my lists from my cold, dead fingers.  They're mine.

Solving this problem is a little harder for me, but I'm going to work on it.  I can't buy cupcakes from a bakery, but I can pass the task of making them on to my sister.  And I did.  And it will be fine.  And they'll taste good and be beautiful, even if they aren't made by ME.  ;)

As for my writing, well, I'm going to give a go at writing cold every day.  Meaning, I'm not going to go back and re-read what I wrote the day before when I sit down.  I'm just going to write.  It will probably cause a few consistency issues, but maybe it'll solve that internal editor problem.  I'll let you know how it goes.

I think maybe it's All About Holly week this week.  lol  Oh well, inspiration ahoy!  Do you re-read what you write, or do you write cold?

Discoveries

A whole week without blogging.  Guys, that's the first time in over a year I've gone a whole week without posting.  But I'll be honest, I feel so refreshed now!  Coming up with something clever to say every day on the blog is, well, hard.  So it was nice to be able to shut that portion of my brain off for a while.

Hope you didn't mind too much.  Although, I noticed blogger failed for a couple days last week anyway, so in reality, it was a perfect week for me to NOT be stressing about getting a post up.  Haha.

Anyway, in my week sans blog, I might have noticed something.  Okay, I did notice something: without the pressure and structure I try to force into my writing life, the words flow a heck of a lot easier.

By nature I'm a very organized, list-making, OCD type person.  But with my newest WIP (along with my break from blogging) I've realized that the more I plan, the more I plot and shape and chart and schedule, the harder it is to put words to page.

My creativity does not fit in a box.  It can't be contained by outlines and schedules.  That's just not how I work.  And that's okay.  (Not that it's a bad thing.  It just doesn't work for me.)

So, I'm gonna give it a shot.  I'm not going to try and blog certain things on certain days unless it sparks my creativity to do so.  ;)  And that outline I had for the WIP?  (Granted, it was a rather generic outline.  I just can't do them, yo. lol)  It's in the trash.

Let the words fly!

Have you had any personal discoveries lately?

Crazyness

Well, my week got a jump start on the crazy side.  And it's probably not going to slow down any...I've just got a feeling. 

 But that's okay.  Because of crazy events yesterday I got to spend the whole day with Super Spawn.  We had a great time once we conquered buying new tires.  We went car shopping.  :)  No big purchase yet, but he votes for the red one.  Of course.  lol

Anyway, today is my post over at Paper Hangover, so make sure you go check it out.

As for the rest of the week -- well, it's sure to be a race to the finish at the office.  But you can expect Road Trip Wednesday, a new book recommendation on Thursday (a MG novel this week), and another Friday Five prompt from Paper Hangover!

Lots of good stuff in store.  Do you guys ever have these weeks where you wonder how you'll ever manage to keep up?  My guess is yes... ;)