Why Are You In It?

Every once in a while, the publishing world breaks out in highly publicized debates about big publishing versus small publishing versus self-publishing. It’s not a new argument. Not a new debate. And most people in the industry have super strong opinions one way or another about whatever roads they deem worthy or unworthy or right or whatever.

And I get it. We’re all entitled to our feelings and our opinions and our ways of thought. I have some of my own even. The thing is that we are all here to survive a different journey, and we are so much better off for the many available choices of roads. I could share my opinions and experiences and whatever whatever, but the thing is, it doesn’t matter. Because even though I’m writing with building a career in mind, that career isn’t necessarily the reason I create.

I write because I love it. It frees me. It makes me think deeply and notice the small things and observe people and situations and places. And also, it clears my head of all the voices. And those voices are the thing that make me believe that I was absolutely put on this earth to create, so it’s like a vicious cycle that boils down to this: I write to stay sane.

So there. I said it. Doesn’t matter which path I choose or how I find my success. The point is that I’m sane, and that’s what matters. And I’m proud of the quality of work I’m learning to produce. I’m successful in so many little ways, and I plan /expect/ am working toward more success in the future. So I’m going to take the advice of Caitlin at All the Write Notes and make my excited face as often as I can, and I’m going to remember how many successful roads have been traveled by Jennifer Armentrout, and be grateful for my publisher and my agent, and all the other people working hard to help me make good things happen, and I’m going to stand up and dance. Because people, I’m in it for the insane-sanity of the thing.  

And really, I don’t know of anyone who can argue with that. So tell me, why are you in it?

Free Your Mind Friday

Okay, I understand that technically, we are free everyday. But today I've decided to give my brain a break from all the stress and worries of everything around me, and give it the freedom to just CREATE.

And I think you should do it too.

Here is a little something to get you started:

What do you think is happening in that grove? (If you feel like sharing, I'd love to hear about it!)


Also, if you haven't noticed, I'm starting an author newsletter, and I'd love for you to sign up (see the sidebar to your right). Next week, I expect to be sharing epic news. Hope to see you back here!

What Would You Do?

I have a dilemma. A few months ago, my fridge broke. So I called a repair guy, and he came out and, frowning, told us it has a leak in the coils. At the time, buying a new one seemed like an easy solution, as fixing the dang thing was going to cost about as much. But now I’m starting to wonder if we shouldn’t have just fixed it anyway.

Why? Well. Because, apparently, no one wants a fridge with leaky coils. Not the power company, or a used appliance place, the recycle company, or even the dump.

So even though it h as stainless steel doors, a working ice machine, and a compressor that’s less than a year old, it’s now this 26 cubic feet box of junk that no one wants, because it’s “not worth fixing.” And it’s taking up space in my garage.

When did we become a society of “throw it away and buy a new one” when something breaks? And what would you do with this enormous box of…um, non-refrigeration that no one wants?

I feel a story coming out of this. Perhaps it could be turned into a Bill and Ted style time machine. Or a rocket that could take a kid into space a-la Explorers. Or…what else?

Getting Unstuck

Just in case you’re feeling creatively blocked right now, I’d like to share a few things I do when I’m feeling unable to write or create something of beauty.

1. Journal—even if it’s about nothing, just open a blank document and spill everything that’s weighing on my mind in order to clear out the cobwebs. This is a tremendous help.

2. Drive—for me this includes music. Very often when I’m driving and listening to mood music, things come to me and I feel incredibly inspired.

3. Meditate—clear your mind and let it drift. Often this is the most productive thing you can do.

4. Clean—some of my best ideas have come when my floor is half scrubbed, or my hands submerged in a sink full of dirty dishes.

5. Shower or bathe—seriously. Because, again, the best ideas tend to come when you’re…indisposed.

6. Decide to not write and walk away from your computer with a scowl. It will most likely miss you and call you back about the time you start to feel withdrawal.

7. Accomplish other tasks that are weighing heavily on your mind. If they truly distract you, finish them so you can let them go.

8. Brainstorm with another creative minded person—for me, this is often my teenage son, who has fantastic ideas, or other writers, who are also very creative.

9. Exercise. Working out stimulates endorphins that get your creative juices flowing unlike anything else.

10. Try writing late at night or early in the morning, when your brain is either shutting down to prepare for sleep, or just waking from it. When dreamland is within reach, so is your most creative self.

I hope I’ve given you something you can use. Now, jump over that wall and get back to work.


**Also, the Dark CARMA book tour starts today. If you haven't already checked out all the awesome online events happening, stop by their blog. 

AuthorPalooza and Things I Love, Day 2: Being an Author

In keeping with my goal for the week, I'm stopping for a minute to reflect on the things I love. I'm thinking about AuthorPalooza on Saturday, and how it feels to sign my name inside a book I created. Well, okay, so I helped create it anyway, since I wasn't alone in the work.

And how it will feel to have my name on the cover of another book I can then sign. It makes me think back to what has happened since I started writing, and the incredible growth I've experienced. All the people I've met who are now my friends. People I might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet.

These people are another group of friends for whom I'm eternally grateful. And whether I'm close to them or just getting to know them, my author friends are special to me. We're there to help each other learn and grow and become successful in the writing and publishing industry. I love them all.

At the signing event on Saturday, there were 40 of us, and I was so proud to have met most of the other authors. The rest...well, I've met them now. I think. Most of them. (It's entirely possible I missed someone, and if you're that someone, I'm so sorry! Track me down next time and we'll meet for real.)

Before everyone left, I took a few minutes and ran around the store snapping pictures. Granted, I was in a hurry (because I left my signing table and we'd had a steady stream of people) so some of these are blurry and bright--but pictures are still pictures and I'm happy to have them.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Today, I love being an author and creating stories from life experience and pure imagination.