Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Please join me at The Girlfriends Book Club where I blog about things that scare me.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Brave Exposure

To write is to expose oneself. It doesn't matter if you write literary fiction, thriller, horror, young adult, comedy, romance, womens fiction, or screenplays--when you write you expose not only your ability to put word to page but also your inner-self.

There are rules to writing. There is a definite order buried in each novel--no matter the type. First you learn the technique of writing and then you actually write.

I constantly question my ability as a writer to the point of neurosis--just ask the Hubs. I remember when I embarked on this journey I would often think 'if only I was published' or 'once I'm published' things will be different, better, easier, more fun, (insert any positive word here).

While there is some relief that comes with being published--that relief doesn't last. Like every endeavor, with advancement or the meeting of a goal the expectations and responsibilities change. Writing takes on a whole different quality when everyone expects you to publish. This isn't just about fun anymore. This is a career.

The goal line moved. My expectations changed. And my patience for failure walked out the door.

It is with dogged determination that I pursue my next story, my next character, my next book. I am a writer--no matter what the outcome--telling stories is what I do.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Target List

crumbles
taco seasoning
Rapunzel hair
hot chocolate
potato chips




Thursday, October 27, 2011

Kick Me In The A** Before You Throw Me Down The Stairs

Ah yes, the Universe it can be kind--with flowers--(I prefer daisies) and puppies and rainbows but it can also be a rabid bitch with blood shot eyes and a two-day hangover. And lately--well lately--I am really unsure which one I am going to wake up to in the morning.

Today? Today I feel like I've been kicked in the balls--you know--if I had balls. Today the Universe has served up a heaping helping of 'the unexpected' and not the 'Oh My God I Won The Lottery!' kind of unexpected but the
'What the hell did I just step in?' unexpected.

And whatever I just stepped in? Well it smells pretty f*&kin' bad.

Oy.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Cigarettes: My Fantasy Love Affair

You know what I love---cigarettes. Oh-my-f*&^ng God--I love them. If I wasn't certain that I'd die from cancer I'd smoke them all day every day. I haven't smoked in YEARS--DECADES but sometimes--some days there is nothing I want more than a big old Marlboro Light.

Today is that day.

I want to slip out a cigarette, put it to my lips, light that baby and inhale so deeply that I cough so loud and hard that my throat hurts. I mean come on--what do they put into those things that after decades of not even having one I still want to puff on something akin to the end of an exhaust pipe? Crack?

Regardless--I won't be buying any cigarettes because I could be an addict--seriously--I could so easily slip into the 'I'm a smoker' routine but then what would I get for that. Lung cancer. Emphysema. Early death. Yeah--that's the crap of being middle-aged you take a serious look at the potential outcome of your actions.

Uh-huh. Two kids under age 10=No Cigarettes.

But once I hit 90 years baby--pass me the ciggy.

xoMaggie

Friday, October 21, 2011

Critique Training

Many of you readers know that I am the VP of Programs for the online RWA-Womens Fiction chapter--for two more months. In November my second term will be finished and I am not running for a third. As VP of Programs I got to organize the curriculum for RWA-WF Critique Training. This has been one of my favorite parts of volunteering with the chapter. In fact, we just began my final critique training. We have 20 participants. I love this programming because I believe it is by reading and editing other authors work that you hone your own editorial eye. Every writer knows the adage: It isn't the writing it is the rewriting.

Maggie

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Deadline

Was today. It came and I pressed send. Two things happen to me when I send in a manuscript. First all those things I thought I had to get done (which are truly a way for me to avoid writing) just don't seem all that important. Second, I get a melancholy feeling. I believe the melancholy stems from the book being 'finished' (a book is never ever really finished--an author simply has a deadline to stop working on a manuscript) and the book is now out of my hands. The book is sent away to be judged and evaluated and ripped apart--to return with lengthy editorial letters.

Well, it's finished for today. Tomorrow--well tomorrow I begin revising another project.

Maggie