Taking Time To Get The Story Right (Some thoughts about book 3)

Last week I went to a movie--something which doesn't happen much at all lately. It was the third in a series, (not created from a book, FTR) and I settled in with a bag of popcorn and a large drink prepared to spend the next two hours on the edge of my seat. Because that's what happened with the first two.

The thing with series of any kind is that the first book or movie sets up an expectation that the writer/cinematographer/filmmaker must not only fulfill in the next installment, but also exceed in every way possible.

Unfortunately, this was one of those films that only detracted from the original story line. In fact, it was a complete departure. That would be fine if it had been thought through and fleshed out, but to be honest, there were so many parts that felt forced or rushed or just sloppy, and it made me so sad. There was no suspension of disbelief for me, because plot holes stole the logic, and some merely almost-there filming issues left a whole lot of cars on a freeway with no passengers inside them. (Nope. No dummies.)

I left the theater wishing, not that I hadn't chosen to see the movie, but that more time and effort had been dedicated to bringing it up to par with the first two.

The experience has left me thinking about my own attempt to end the DESCENDANT series, and the third book I have been struggling with for so many months. I don't want to make these same mistakes as the makers of that movie. I don't want to write in plot holes, or leave threads untied, or forget important characters. I don't want to smash empty cars on the freeway, or kill off characters for shock value without advancing the plot. And so I am taking my time. Much more time than I ever planned or expected, and more writing than I've had to do since I first wrote Descendant (which went through about 30 drafts) in order to get it right.

Unfortunately, this means Legacy most likely won't be released in April, or even May. But it WILL be released, and as soon as I have a better idea of when, I promise I will shout it out to all of you.

I'm so sorry to keep you all waiting, but the truth is ending a series is HARD. This book is, to date, the hardest book I've ever written. And I want it to be awesome. I want it to be worth the wait. I want to do it right.

What about you? What things have you had to work hard to get right?

Worth the Work

I’m not going to lie. The next month is going to be crazy busy for me. Yes, the fact that my book is officially “released” into the world is part of it. I’m currently in Utah to celebrate that, and also to attend and present at my all-time favorite writing conference. Those things, along with a little visiting and socializing, will take up the first half of my May. And THEN…

Moving. Again.

Yes, yes. We did just move. Uh huh. It has only been six months. Here it is: from crappy rental house—into nice home-we-will-own.

It’s a lot of work, and a lot of stress. And a lot of brainpower. But in the end, we believe all the work and stress will be worth it. Kind of like it’s worth all the work and stress it has taken for me to see this book through the publication process. And worth what it's going to take to find time to write the next one.

I believe that all the best things require sacrifice and hard work.

So what about you? What hard thing do you believe is worth working for this spring/summer?

You Are Adequate. No, Really, You Are!

I’ve been stuck lately. Seriously handicapped in my ability to create, because in a creative field like writing, everything I do, everything I produce, comes from inside of me. My head, my heart, my innermost-hidden soul. And, um, turns out, it’s hard to dig into my hidden soul when I’m trying so hard to just function in this entirely new environment.

It’s a problem.

I’ve tried a lot of tricks that have worked for me in the past. Working out. Going for a drive. Shopping. Long bubble baths. Walking on the beach (which is new, and usually the most inspiring thing I can think to do). Yeah. Not so much.

And then…

In cleaning off a shelf, I came across my to-be-read pile, the one that has grown enormously since I moved, due to the fact that I also haven’t done any reading. And I thought, “hey, can’t hurt.” I picked one by an author who has always inspired me to be a better writer, and I read a page. Then a chapter.

And I remembered all the reasons I am inadequate, all the reasons why I will never write something so amazing as what this author writes, and all the reasons why I should probably bury my head in the sand (now that I live by a beach) and quit.

Then I opened my computer and got back to work.

Because I also remembered that the reasons I will never write the way that author writes is because I am ME. And I can write something incredibly amazing and wonderful, but absolutely different from her. I have the ability to do great things and to be awesome, all by myself. And I am the only one who can figure out how to overcome my issues and be better, be artistic and profound and better than remarkable.

I can be adequate.

It’s my choice.

And yours. Choose to be adequate. And get back to work. 

Preparing for Success

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking this week about success, and how we reach that point where we feel successful.  (Also, there’s a difference between feeling successful and being successful, but that’s another post entirely.)

Say we have a goal in mind. And it’s a tough one that will require a lot of hard work and dedication. And sometimes your goal requires extra efforts that don’t really seem to have a purpose other than that it feels like something you should be doing.

So we do these things, probably wondering why we try so hard, and hoping that someday we’ll understand the purpose behind all our efforts. Hoping that someday, everything we’ve worked for will pay off. We do it to stretch ourselves farther, to widen our boundaries, to make our personal selves better.

And then…

Something comes up. Success falls on your head (with a little help from effort, obviously). And suddenly you see the purpose of all the other things you didn’t know would come back to you. Because, as James Owen once said in a keynote address, our choices are cumulative.

More and more lately, I’m seeing people gain the payoffs for their extra-hard work. And all that unnecessary stuff? Eventually it does become relevant. People remember. Training becomes useful. And even when the brass ring of success moves, you still find a way to reach it.

All you have to do is stretch yourself a little further. 

How are you stretching this week?

All Hail Our Laborers

In case you're wondering why the post office and all the banks are closed today, it's because of this:



And people like this:

And people who do stuff like this:

And this:

And a bazillion other things I couldn't possibly fit here on my blog in one post.

Thanks to all the laborers out there who contribute to life as we know it. And since you work so hard for the rest of the year, I hope you took today off and are doing something fun. I certainly am.

Made By Sheer Determination

Did I ever tell you my daughter Sneezy plays soccer? I know we’ve discussed basketball and softball, but all truth be told, soccer is her game. It’s the sport that makes her smile even as she tapes her blisters, dresses turf burn, and ices deep purple bruises.

This year she’s heading into high school as a sophomore (our HS here starts with sophomores, and freshmen attend the junior high—but don’t get me started on that) and decided she wanted to try out for the JV/ varsity soccer team.

At the beginning of June, Sneezy had a large tumor (non cancerous, yay!) removed from her neck. The surgery resulted in tendon and nerve damage in her neck and face that has left portions of those areas either in pain or completely numb. As a result, Sneezy has a tough time fully rotating her shoulder (a bad deal for a keeper/goalie), and occasionally when she runs, the insides of her neck throb like they’re going to "fall out".

Within a week of her surgery, summer conditioning started. Five days a week from 8-10:00 am, players proved their dedication by showing up and working their butts off in preparation for the soccer season. Sneezy missed almost a month, and worried about falling behind. Still, she determined she had to try.

So as soon as she could, Sneezy got up early every summer morning and went to conditioning, worked extra hard, then came home and spent the rest of the day with Ice packs taped to her shoulder and neck until she stopped needing the ice, and stopped needing the painkillers, and started to catch up.

Last week was try out week, which meant two hours in the mornings and two in the afternoons, of very seriously difficult work. At the end of each day, the coaches made cuts, and only those who made it through were invited back the next day.

Monday: Sneezy didn’t get cut. But one of her best friends (who is a phenomenal player) did.

Tuesday: Sneezy didn’t get cut. But another of her best friends did.

Wednesday: Most of Sneezy’s friends got cut. But Sneezy was invited back.

Thursday: Sneezy made the team and was given not just one, but two playing positions, ensuring her playing time as both JV and Varsity.

Friday: To celebrate, the team ran five miles around the city before starting their regular workout routine. But Sneezy got both her keeper jersey, and her forward one.

Sneezy still has pain and numbness. And she’s so sad her best friends got cut. But she has dedicated herself to working hard, moving up, doing her best to be the best soccer player she can be, despite any obstacles or challenges that come her way.

We’d all do well to learn a lesson from my fifteen-year-old Sneezy. I certainly have.

**All you Utahns, don't forget to stop by the big event and say hi!

Oh Summer, My Dear Summer

In case you haven’t noticed, June somehow morphed into August in the blink of an eye. So fast, it almost felt like we skipped right over July (which, FYI, happens to be one of my favorite months of the year). School starts again in like, two weeks.

Get this. High school sports teams (like JV/Varsity soccer, which my sophomore daughter made after an INSANE week of tryouts) have been chosen and practice started. Class schedules and predicted fees have been mailed out, and back to school shopping is in full swing (for most people).

And through it all, I keep thinking…NOOOOOOOO! Not yet. I’m not ready for summer break to be over yet. IT JUST STARTED!

But like it or not, it’s about here. I have a total of two and a half weeks left before it’s officially over for good—and one of those weeks I will spend in Reno at World CON (without my family).

One of my most favorite parts of this summer has been the times I’ve taken to visit people I don’t see often enough, just to chat, or eat treats or a meal, or see a movie. I’ve had a lot of dear friends come into town, and most of them have been able to find time to hang out for just an hour or two.

I think it’s crazy that we only make time for the funnest stuff during certain months. It’s like we’ve been preprogrammed to think we’re only allowed to enjoy ourselves between this time and this time, and the rest of the year we have to work, work, work.

Why do we do this? I propose that we all stop thinking that way and continue living the ideals of summer throughout the rest of the year. I mean, sure, okay. I’ll probably have to put the top up on my convertible about the time the first real blizzard hits Utah, but I can still meet up with my favorite people and eat soup or drink hot chocolate or cider, right? Yeah. Okay.

*Sighs*

Still. I will have to get some work done at some point.

*hangs head*

Guess I’ll cheer myself up by stocking up on notebooks and pens. At least there’s one good thing about the end of summer. School supply sales!

Everything I've Got

Guess what I’m doing tomorrow? I’m running (or maybe speed-walking) my first ever 5k. It’s called Coopers Run, which is a great cause, so of course I’m looking forward to it. Well, mostly.

First problem: I am not a runner. Never been a runner. Therefore, I will very probably be somewhat slow.

Granted, I spend a lot of time at the gym. Always have. And I have been running lately, which is why I was okay with this. But the truth is, running is not my favorite form of exercise. (And yes, believe it or not, I DO like to work out.)

Second problem: I will be running this 5k with a whole lot of police officers (and some wives) who happen to be my husband’s peers, and who are required to pass a twice-yearly physical fitness test which involves running. Some of these guys run marathons for fun on their days off. I am not joking.

Also, my two very athletic daughters, who will undoubtedly leave me in the dust from the beginning.

But again, I’m okay with this. Even if I get left behind and am the absolute last person to cross the finish line (which, FYI, I severely doubt. I’m in decent enough shape that I could walk it in a decent time), I will still be glad I did it. Because once I finish, I will do so knowing that I gave it my all.

That’s really the crux of everything, isn’t it? It doesn’t necessarily matter who gets there first, or who comes in last, or which of us stagger through somewhere in between, so much as it matters that we dedicate ourselves to a higher purpose and give it everything we’ve got.

It’s really the only way to be successful in this world.

Wish me luck!