Two More Days

Guys. This week is crazy busy for me. First, tomorrow, my baby girl becomes an official adult. *gulp* And second, I am frantically finishing up details for the release of Birthright. Oh, yes, and also for this:

Please forgive me for being a lame blogging cheater today. But definitely come back on Thursday for the Birthright cover reveal. You won’t be sorry! 

Finding Our Gifts

In my upcoming book, Descendant, the main character, Abby, has two special gifts: the ability to heal others and the ability to see bits and pieces of life from the past, present, and occasionally the future.  Both gifts were passed down from her relatives, along with a colorful, and somewhat scary legacy.

I think we all have a special ability. Or two. Or three or lots. Whatever that gift is, it’s something we do well. Not necessarily better than everyone else, but just something we’re specifically good at, and which makes us happy. Something we enjoy. And those abilities help us to do things that no one else can do. They help us to create things, and find ways to share our gifts with others. They help us become the best version of ourselves.

The problem is that most people don’t realize they have this ability, whatever it is. Nor do they know how to use the power lying dormant inside them.

Don’t you think that’s sad? I do. I think that everyone deserves to know their potential, and we should all have the opportunity to try to reach for it.

So today, I would love to hear about your special gift. What is one thing you’re really good at? And what awesome potential might that unleash in you? I don’t care how meaningless or stupid you think it is, I want to hear about it.   

Aaaaannnnd…GO!

Sometimes Creativity is About Faith

In yourself.

In your work.

In the family and other loved ones who support you and try to understand but don’t always succeed.

In allowing the house to be messy, and letting the kids eat cereal for dinner.

In your creative friends. And your not-so-creative ones.

In the market.

In readers who always want something new to read.

In your original ideas—there will be a place for them.

In publishers who are brave enough to take a chance on something different. Or something similar. Or something else.

In agents who might be in a terrible mood when they read your submission, but decide they like it anyway. Or not.

In a higher power who has plans for you, even though you can’t see the blueprint.

In your ability to continue producing.

In your need to take breaks.

That what your gut tells you is the right thing to do, even if no one else—even the person you trust most—agrees.

Faith that you will be successful. Eventually.

And until then, faith in the power of chocolate covered marshmallows, Cadbury mini-eggs, black licorice candies, Black Forest gummy bears and Dr. Pepper. When creativity fails, these things will certainly see you through.

What's Your Super Power?

I’m writing this book—a sequel for another book I’ve already finished—and some of the characters in it have special gifts, or powers, which are unusual to normal “accepted” human ability. Because of said gifts, most of my characters often feel like complete social misfits with an unfair amount of responsibility for the rest of the cruel world.

After spending so much time with these characters, I can’t help but wonder. If I had a special ability like the ones in my books, what would it be? I know if I got to choose an ability, hands down I’d choose teleportation power so I could zip from place to place in the blink of an eye.

Wanna go to Hawaii for the day? No problem.

Need to see that pyramid in Egypt for research? Sure, why not.

Got a hankerin’ for fresh Maine lobster? Great. On my way.

Watching the food network and want to eat at one of the restaurants featured there? *Blink-blink* “May I take your order please?”

Yeah, that would be the best. Power. Ever. I’d so totally be writing this blog on a beach right now instead of in my bedroom listening to my kids play Xbox in the other room.

What about you? If you could choose one super power, what would it be? Think hard and choose wisely. Your special ability can be anything you can think, but hopefully not completely obvious super-hero-esque-already-been-done type skills.

Because, well, that would be boring.