While I Drink My Mocha

The year is almost over

and so are my posts on balance.

For your enjoyment

here is 

Laurie Cameron

I love writing. When I’m stressed out, which seems to be a disproportionate amount of time, I write. Or I think about writing. Just the idea of being a writer has intrigued me since I was about 10 years old. I always envisioned myself with a cool typewriter and a big wooden desk, in a cozy den with a great view. Perhaps I’d sit at my desk and write wonderful stories, pausing to look out at the woods – or maybe the ocean – just beyond my window.

Have you ever noticed how movies portray writers? They often have such a romanticized life, hunkering down in a quaint coffee shop and penning page after page while sipping a cappuccino. How dreamy. I love those movies. I pretend that that is the type of writer I am. I’m wearing a very stylish sweater, with a scarf knotted smartly around my neck. There is a pencil tucked behind my ear, and the words pour onto the paper effortlessly while I drink my mocha. At a glance of my watch, I notice that it’s almost time to pick the girls up from school. My son is just waking from his nap, and he stirs a bit. I’ve just put in two glorious hours of work on my latest novel, and now I can spend some quality time with my kids. How fabulous!

Reality check. I look down and recall that I’m wearing my husband’s college sweatshirt, faded with age. The dryer has just clicked off, a reminder that I can now switch the laundry, and I have several stacks of papers to grade. Yes, I am a writer. But, I’m not the kind that you might envision if you’re thinking of one of those glorious films. Nope, I’m a full time working mom with a house to keep clean (if you call the constant pile of laundry and the obstacle course of blocks, cars, and dollhouse furniture clean), and bills to pay. I make time when I can to squeeze in a few minutes of writing, though this generally makes me feel guilty because I always feel that I should be doing something else.

Then again, books are my passion. I think they always have been. I want my kids to have great books to read, adventures to whisk them away, stories to bring them comfort. So, I write them. My writing partner and I discovered, almost simultaneously, that there was a serious deficit in great adventure/mystery stories for kids in a very pivotal age group. So, what did we decide to do? Write some.

But when? How? I get home from an exhausting day of teaching and try my hardest to be energetic for my kids. I don’t look or feel the part of a real writer. For this reason, I pretend. I imagine myself the author that I always envisioned. Then, I pull on my sweats and a t-shirt (which I pretend is a very artsy/writer-like outfit), grab something to drink in a plastic cartoon character cup, and plunk down on the living room floor – my own quaint café. Then, I write. Sometimes, it’s during the wee hours of the night. Everyone else in my house is sleeping. I don’t feel guilty. I’m not shirking any of my duties. This is an okay time. I crank out a few pages, and can barely hold my eyes open. Sleep calls me. Tomorrow night, same place. I’ll be here.

 ________________________

 

Laurie Cameron was born in Montana and moved to the Washington, D.C. area after completing her advance degree in Economics. There she met her husband and took up the nomadic life in the U.S. Foreign Service. For more than twenty years, she has lived and traveled throughout many parts of Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. She has two sons who are both in the Peace Corps.

Laura Meagher was born and raised in Plainfield, Illinois, and continues to reside in that same Chicago suburb today with her husband, Joe, and three beautiful children. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and her master of arts in teaching. Laura is currently in her thirteenth year of teaching in the public school system.

Laura is Laurie's husband's sister's daughter (phew!). In other words, she is Laurie's niece. They have been writing together since 2008. When they started, Laurie lived in the Dominican Republic and Laura lived and continues to live in the same Chicago suburb where she grew up. Since then Laurie has resided in Honduras for four years and is now living in Sedona, Arizona. 

For this reason, all their writing happens over the internet. First Laura writes a chapter and e-mails it to Laurie, then Laurie writes one and e-mails it to Laura. The chapters aren't always sequential. If one of them is inspired to write a particular chapter, she writes it. They worry about putting it all together later. But each chapter provides inspiration to continue.

Laurie and Laura co-authored The Ghost at Old Oak Way, published by Untapped Talent, Inc in 2009. The Ghost at Judy Creek Station was published by Acorn Mysteries in 2012.

Washed Ashore

It's a balancing act

every day. 

What to do?

R.A. Savary has it figured out.

I don’t like the terminology, “balancing my writing with ‘real life’” as it’s not a separation I make. In other words, they are one and the same. I can no longer imagine my life without writing, and I can’t imagine what I will do if it doesn’t “take off” soon. I won’t go into my entire life story. Along with my recent commitment to writing are other beliefs I am pursuing; like writing, they must fit where they fit, as do pieces of a jig-saw puzzle.

I guess at one time I had desired to be a writer, but forgot that desire, in a sea of fear and alcohol. When I washed ashore, some special people drug me from the unstable sands of the beach to solid ground, and then pointed me to a path I could call my own, and upon which, I later realized I was being led. Early on while following this path, and on a consistent basis ever since, I have worked in several fields, been loyal and giving of myself in all of them, leaving pieces of me behind. 

After regaining my footing, my desire to write returned, with a half-hearted dream of being published. This dream was a recurring thing, intermittently tossed aside for the so-called reality of making a living. Two years ago I realized that throughout my working journey, the process of leaving the pieces of me behind, that I spoke of earlier was escalating, and I could no longer afford to lose any more. I left my main job, and bumped up my part-time job at the Census Bureau to full time, even though I knew it was short-lived. I committed myself to finishing a novel, which I had started years ago, and finished the first draft in October of 2011. People have been asking for about a year now, what was I going to do?. I had been replying something along the lines that either my book was going to be a success or that my writing would lead me to something that would sustain me.

I began the querying process (aka the rejection process) for agents and publishers. I continue with submissions, paying and non-paying. 

Something occurred to me as I am writing this, in regards to balance. The pieces of me, the ones I have left behind and the ones I am attaining while on this special path of mine, all go into my writing, the “micro” and flash fiction, the short stories, and my special story, which is entitled Special, by the way; so just what the hell is there for me to balance!

I hope I get this right; Hemmingway said, “Writing isn’t hard. All we have to do is sit in front of a typewriter and bleed.” I am holding him to that, and I bleed a lot. I want to thank all the people in the literary field who believe that the book, the “real” book, has a future; they are special to me.

Things always change. For now, at least, writing is breathing; I just do it.

________________________

 

I am a writer living in northern Wisconsin. I have a cheesy website, www.R.A.Savary.com, which I created soon after completing my novel Special. It contains a longer short bio of me, a description of the story including some excerpts, and a few excerpts of some short stories. At present, I am a modern day, starving artist with a pawnshop laptop over my shoulder instead of a pencil in my ear and notebook in hand. I am querying agents, while trying many different avenues of writing to survive and build-up my bio. My website was recently edited, and it still needs work, but it remains “cheesy” because I am busy creating “micro,” flash, and short story fiction submissions for magazines and contests. I mostly enjoy doing fantasy, paranormal, and other sci-fi, but I am trying almost anything.

Life Is Not Like A Trip To The Buffet

Yippee!

Thursdie!

I mean, (deep lower voice,) Thursday.

Today I am featuring Rick Lauber

Do you give your writing the time and attention it truly deserves? Or, do you vainly squeeze in a few words when and wherever you can?

Several years ago, I found myself working a full-time job, a part-time job and trying to freelance write. Obviously, my writing (along with most everything else in my life) was taking a back seat and I decided a change was in order. Let’s face facts though; I don’t often make major decisions easily or quickly. After considerable dithering, I quit my full-time job to focus more on writing. The part-time hours, I surmised, would continue to provide me with a regular enough paycheque to stave off any wolves howling at my door for at least a few months while I focused more on writing.

I have continued this arrangement and truly enjoyed finding more of a life balance and having more time to write. Thanks to having more time at my computer keyboard, my portfolio of published magazine/newspaper articles has grown immensely as has my self-confidence level. I am now both healthier and happier.

The highlight from the last several years, undoubtedly, has been my completing my first book, Caregiver’s Guide for Canadians. This guidebook, for new and existing caregivers, serves as a valuable resource for individuals stepping in to help with an aging parent/friend/partner and is based on my own personal experience assisting with both of my parents. Sample chapters include “Caring from a Distance”, “Searching for Appropriate Long-Term Care for A Parent” and “Finding Joy in Caregiving”. While my book does include websites of specific relevance to Canadian caregivers, the content is general enough to appeal to a global audience.

Through my experiment, I’ve concluded that life is not like a trip to the buffet where you load as much as possible on your plate. Take less and go back for seconds, if desired, instead. Find balance. Without prioritizing your own writing (and your own desire to do so), you are shortchanging yourself (along with potential readers of your work).

_________________________

 Rick Lauber is the author of Caregiver's Guide for Canadians, a freelance writer, publicist and public speaker. His writing credits include magazine/newspaper articles, creative copy, website material and news/sports stories for radio broadcast. Rick has written on a great variety of subjects including global warming, business profiles, arts and entertainment and senior care.

For more information, please check out www.caregiversguideforcanadians.com or e-mail to lauber.rick@gmail.com.

http://cdncaregiver.blogspot.ca

https://twitter.com/cdncaregiver

Writing Isn’t Just Sitting at the Computer

Thursday

The very best day of the week.

At least I think so.

Today I'm honored to introduce

Debbi Weitzell

Someone approached me a couple of weeks ago about a contract job. She opened with something to this effect: “What do you do now [that you’re a published author]? Are you act the computer all day, every day, writing?” I could honestly answer, “No.” On the other hand, writing isn’t just sitting at the computer.

When do I write? When do I NOT write? Look at is this way: everything that happens in my life or to people around me impacts my thinking. Everything I experience or observe filters through my brain, and may at some point emerge through my fingers. I try to remember this on days when I don’t even get to sit down at the computer, let alone get any “writing” done. And when I have writing projects in the works (when do I not?), while I’m painting or ironing or cooking or whatever else has to be done, those projects are percolating in background. When at last I do put hands to keyboard, what comes forth is a distillation of all that thinking.

For a long time, the actual writing didn’t happen very often. Kids to raise, a job—whatever. Always something. But then I started to realize that when I wasn’t creating anything, I got grumpy. I don’t like grumpy. I learned the lesson. Now writing is higher on the list. In the last year, I’ve finished two projects that were years in the making, simply because I decided to make them priorities. Many more are in process.

Side note: our kids noticed, too. They have adopted my philosophy; they pursue their interests in the present as much as possible, working them in as they can, so that they are developing their talents all their lives. I didn’t realize that this would be a benefit of my decisions, but it has by far been the greatest reward.

___________________________

By the above definition, Debbi Weitzell has been writing since she could speak, in one form or another, and actually putting words down for almost as long. She is the author of two books, a blog, and a lot more. The books are “Dan Powell, the Making of an American Cowboy” (historical novel) and “Ora’s Quest” (fantasy adventure). Both are available in soft cover and e-book formats. Free excerpts at the bookseller sites. For access to all, go to http://debbi.weitzell.com.

Everything Does Not Have To Be Perfect.

Yeah!

It's Thursday!

Introducing Mary Firmin

My darling husband, Bill, bought me the publishing package for Deadly Pleasures as a Christmas present in 2010.  He went crazy and ordered all kinds of services, and he loved doing it.  What he, or I, did not know is that he would pass away in his sleep six months later. The editing, choosing a cover, and all the things that go into a new book actually saved me from spiraling down into a deep depression.  I had to keep moving.  I had to do the work whether I felt like it or not. Now, the book is out and doing quite well. I have done TV interviews, radio interviews, newspaper and blog interviews. My only wish is that he could be here to be a part of all this.

     My plan is to write a Trilogy of Deadly books, using some of the same characters.  Right now I am trying very hard to get back to my second book, Deadly Secrets which is about half finished. The synopsis is complete, and I am ready to continue writing, but with all the promotion and interviews on Deadly Pleasures, it is hard to find the time. I have to again revert back to the Harold Robbins theory, which is “Put some Ass Glue on your chair and do not get up until you have written 5-10 pages.”  When I do this, I produce.  

     Early on, in my writing, I had to drag myself away from the computer because I had so much to say. I researched Voodoun Fire, my first writing attempt, to death. I spent every waking hour obsessed with writing. In order to keep my marriage and family intact, I had to come up with a better system.  Since I am a night person, I chose to work at night. I promised myself to get up and go to bed after three hours, and sometimes I did.  Since most of writing is re-writing I am fortunate that I like to re-write. Getting that new idea out onto a blank page is very hard for me, it is like giving birth. It was only when I convinced myself that everything did not have to be perfect the first time I wrote it down that I eased up on myself. I don’t know if I expected Ernest Hemingway to imbue my spirit and guide me down the path of the perfect sentence, but it definitely did not happen.  

     I have consciously chosen to make my writing as invisible as possible so that my readers may glide over the words and see only the picture I am trying to paint, or feel the feeling I am trying to evoke. If I can do that I think I will be a good writer. I love to read the writings of the great Masters but I know I will never be a writer like those people. First of all the cadence and manner of speech was different from the way ours is today. I mean, how well would those guys do on Twitter? I rest my case. 

     I hope I have reassured at least one person out there that you do not have to be perfect in your writing, but you must START. After you have written your words down on paper it will all come together like a giant jigsaw puzzle with words instead of pieces. I wish you all the best of luck with your writing –but above all have fun.  

___________________________

 

 Mary Firmin was born in the North of England, emigrated to Canada, then traveled to Florida where she owned and operated an Arthur Murray Dance Studio. She moved on to Santa Monica, California where she worked in Real Estate Sales and eventually became Vice President of a large firm on the West Side. She began her writing career by attending many classes at local colleges, including UCLA, and then moved on to private writer's groups. As active members of a Southern California Yacht Club, Mary and her husband traveled up and down the California Coastline for years, and spent many days on Catalina Island. Upon moving to the Desert, Mary wrote a society column for a Palm Springs newspaper.

 It is from these experiences she forged her characters and the story of Deadly Pleasures. This book is a fun, casual read with a little romance, some deviant sex, and a sick serial killer. It is sure to keep your attention to the very end. Mary's loving husband, Bill, passed away this year. She has three children, one gorgeous grandchild and lives in Rancho Mirage, California. Mary is now working on her second book in this series, Deadly Secrets.