Serious Wednesday: Passionate About Writing

I Love being an author!

I didn't discover writing after I got older. I've always loved it, from grade school to today. I went from writing fun school assignments, to poetry, to children's stories, to teen stories, and then adult inspirational fiction. 

Although I was good in English, etc., when I seriously began to pursue writing fiction as a career, I had to re-learn and update my writing. I went to classes, had edits by professionals who critiqued my works and encouraged me toward publication. I joined critique groups who gave me honest critiques, some harsh--and I could have quit, but my LOVE for this stood me in good stead. I didn't quit. I kept going.

Writing gives my happiness and satisfaction. I enjoy the creating, the work of research, the finishing that is like nothing else. 

Yes, it's work. 

• Creating the characters and getting them right. Developing a plot and making sure timelines and all events line up correctly. Have an appropriate beginning and ending. So-o-o satisfying! 
• Hitting a plateau is hard and discouraging, but then...then when you get that right thought on where to go next...it overwhelms and makes you forget the struggles. 
• And one of the best parts: Writing the Words:  THE END!   

I did it!

Don't quit!

Keep writing!

Push on! 

Work hard!

Believe!

You can do this! 

Serious Wednesday: On Passionate Careers

To love what you do and feel that it matters--

how could anything be more fun?

--Katherin Graham

I've always felt

that life is too short

to allow it to be boring.

It's way too short to stay in a career that you hate.

So, don't stay.

If you can at all, do something else.

Sometimes life is such

that we have to stay.

Stick it out.

BUT...

that doesn't mean you still can't enjoy 

what you're doing.

Find joy in something,

for each day to be happy about,

whether it's walking to work,

singing in the rain with a colorful umbrella above you.

Count the stars when you return from work.

Or...

Smile at a stranger,

speak a kind word to a clerk,

buy the person behind you in line...

their meal,

their purchases,

or whatever.

Call a friend,

or enjoy an evening 

soaking in a warm tub,

reading a book,

thinking,

splurging on a favorite bath salt.

You might...

if you want...

bake some cookies for your fellow workers,

Or solve a problem between two arguing people

(or ignore them and thank God you're not involved!)

Make life matter.

Make what you do important,

if only to yourself.

Make your career the best it can be.

Do all you can to be your best!

Whatever career you have,

whether you love or hate it,

don't let it get you down.

Be thankful you have a job,

be hopeful for a better one,

Be diligent in searching for one that is satisfying.

Be cheerful by thinking good thoughts.

And be blest!

Serious Wednesday: Passionate Writing--When the Light Hits!

2019 was a tough year for me as far as writing is considered. I struggled with coming up with ideas, plots and how to proceed, no matter how many times I  brainstormed with myself or other writing friends.

The problem?

• Too many things going on in my life. When you get so busy, you fail to accomplish some goals. There's no way to do everything. Sometimes something has to give.
• Taking on a project that seemed bigger than life. Especially one that, at times, I didn't know how to do or even want to. 

The solution:

• Adjust your life goals. Sometimes shorter is better. It seems more attainable. You can always add more as your list grows shorter.
• Evaluate what you really want to do, what you feel you should do, and what is important to you. Once you have the answer to these things, it will be much more satisfying to make your list of goals. 

For me, 2020 dawned new and bright. The discouragement and stress from 2019 evaporated. I was able to begin focusing on what I wanted to do, what I needed to do and how to go about it.  

Late one night right before I fell asleep, ideas popped into my head. Perhaps through the turmoil of the past year, they'd been percolating inside my brain, waiting for the right moment, the time to reveal themselves.

I felt invigorated and inspired to write. Eager to write, thrilled that the hated blockage of writing ideas had disappeared. 

In the days following, I've been hard at it, with a plan, to follow through and continue to labor toward my goals. 

What does it take to break through a rough patch of writing? I can give you answers, but sometimes none of those will do the trick. 

I think, at times, the brain and body need a break. Maybe there were things going on I'll never realize or know. And that's okay. For now.

Let me tell you one thing. I hope I never have such an uninspiring writing year as 2019. 

Here's to a goal-driven, prosperous and successful year of writing! 

For sure! 

Happy writing, authors!

Serious Wednesdays on Passionate Writing

On Passionate Writing

What do these quotes tell you?

If you start with a bang, you won’t end with a whimper. – T.S. Eliot

Read a thousand books, and your words will flow like a river. ― Lisa See

You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page. ― Jodi Picoult

There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed. 

– Ernest Hemingway

If a story is in you, it has to come out. – William Faulkner

Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.

— Louis L’Amour

So...what do these quotes tell you?

That...writing is hard work.

Those who want to write books must remember that to do so,

you must work at it.

But, if you have it in you,

you will work at it.

You will write.

Happy writing!

Serious Wednesdays: Passionate Wednesdays

Passionate Wednesdays

When I face the desolate impossibility of writing 500 pages, 

a sick sense of failure falls on me.

Me: (What a daunting task! 

Can I ever get it done?

I fear not . . .) 

I know I can never do it.

This happens every time.

Me: (Every single time.

Never fails but the haunting fear of failing hovers

like a bird of prey . . .

taunting,

teasing,

assuring me I'll never get it done!)

Then, gradually, I write one page . . .

Then another.

One day's work is all I can permit myself to contemplate,

and I eliminate the possibility of never finishing.

Me: (Smile)

--John Steinbeck

Serious Wednesday: Passionate Writing: When You Wanna Quit

When you want to quit writing...

Don't. 

When you're overwhelmed with life and its happenings, and you want to quit, remember:

You never have time to do it right, but you always have time to do it over.

When you think you're a failure because you've tried and failed to nail that contract, remember:

It takes as much courage to have tried and failed as it does to have tried and succeeded.

When you're pressed by others demanding you do it their way, remember:

Follow your own light.

When you're being laughed at, remember:

Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused. (and it will give the others pause. Why are you laughing?)

When writing that book, that article, that devotion, whatever, remember:

When you face the desolate impossibility of writing 500 pages, and a sick sense of failure falls on you that you can never do this, write one page, then another. Give yourself one day's work. That's all that matters today. Then tomorrow, another. That is the way to eliminate the impossibility of ever finishing the book.

When you wonder why on earth you thought you could be a writer, remember:

Writing is now and forever a choice.

When your bests ideas come at night, remember:

You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.

When you find yourself comparing yourself and your writing to others, remember:

Comparison is the thief of joy!

Don't quit!

Serious Wednesday: Let's Get to writing!

There are thousands of thoughts lying within a man

that he does not know till he takes up the pen and writes. 

~William Makepeace Thackeray

And how to get them down on paper unless you pick up that pen

(click on those computer keys!)

and start.

That's it.

Just start.

You may get one

maybe two

or ten

great sentences.

Could be you might even get down a super terrific chapter.

But how will you know WHAT you can do,

how will you know what's bottled up inside your brain

unless you . . .

pick up that pen,

click on those keys--

begin writing!

Who knows what's waiting in your brain?

Maybe the next great classical book.

A bestseller.

Or a book that will touch one--or a hundred--hearts.

Let's get to writing.

Passionate writing!

Blessings

Serious Wednesday: The Craziness of Writing

On Passionate Writing

It is a writer's greatest pleasure

to hear that someone

was kept up until the unholy hours 

of the morn

reading

one of his books.

--B. Sanderson

Writing is the strangest

and most interesting,

besides the most misunderstood,

craziest and hardest

most frustrating--

yet satisfying talent--

or is it a curse?

career?

hobby?

job?

                                                                          purpose?

A writer will certainly dwell in stages of 

despair

discouragement

hopelessness

yet writing affords deep . . .

satisfaction and pleasure,

determination

happiness and joy 

by one act of a reader, in reading.

To the real writer, 

that is enough.

Blessings!

Serious Wednesdays: Stuck?

On Passionate Writing

Stuck?

Discouraged?

Feeling hopeless?

Don't be!

Remember:

 * If you're discouraged that you can get no

editor or agent interested,

you have options!! 

Not everyone needs to go the traditional route.

Consider and pray about the journey God wants you on.

* If you're feeling blue because you've reached a plateau in your writing 

and you have no clue how to proceed...

Here's some ideas:

Re-read what you've written. Take notes. 

Ask some questions: 

1.  What is the worst thing that can happen to my character(s)?

2.  What is the best thing that can happen to my character(s)?

3.  Ask a bunch of "what if" questions

4.  Consider taking a different direction in your manuscript.

5.  Talk with a close friend and ask them for some suggestions.

You don't always have to use their thoughts, 

but it could spark some ideas in your head, 

or you could branch off from an idea they spoke of

And, last:

Pray.

Remind yourself for whom you're writing

and the reason you're writing.

Take a break. 

Sometimes a space of time, 

freeing your mind with a different occupation 

will rest your enough to refresh your inspiration!

Just never give up!

Passionate Writing: Work...and Contest Question #2

Can Anything be Sadder than

Work Unfinished?

Yes!

Work never begun.

--Christina Rossetti

Fear--

Fear cripples.

Fear damages

Fear holds a person back

from accomplishing.

Excuses--

I don't have time

I have to finish this first

I have to much to do right now

I don't know how

I'm not smart enough

big enough

strong enough

important enough--

I'm too tired.

Procrastination--

Tomorrow I'll have more time

After I come back from--

vacation

the store

visiting my mother, children, family, friends, whoever--

Not today, I've got to--

practice the piano

babysit

prepare dinner--

But wait:

You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again.

— Benjamin Franklin

“The really happy people are those who have broken the chains of procrastination, 

those who find satisfaction in doing the job at hand. 

They’re full of eagerness, zest, productivity. 

You can be, too.”– Norman Vincent Peale
***
Contest Question #2

REMEMBER, Two things:

• YOU MUST ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS OF THE MONTH to be considered for the monthly prize. And...

• You MUST check back here on the last Wednesday of the month to see if you've won. I will usually share the blog link on my Facebook author page but it's YOUR obligation to contact me here on the blog with your mailing information (or you can let me know you'll share it with email or private message on FB. 

May's First Question:

Is there a genre you totally do not like?

May's Second Question:

What makes a wonderful mother?

Don't forget to share this site!

On Passionate Writing and April's Contest Question #3

On Passionate Writing

To be a writer,

you must sentence yourself

to a life of solitary confinement.

--Paul Martin

What is being a writer?

Do words make you a writer?

Does sitting at a desk typing make you a writer?

Does writing a book make you a writer?

Realize...

that writing is not always easy.

Sometimes it's hard,

discouraging,

and 

feels useless.

And solitary.

Sometimes that means lonely.

Other times

it means quiet or soft background music

it can mean sitting and dreaming

or plotting and outlining.

You can also pound the words out.

Or let them drizzle from your mind and fingers.

It's a comforting feeling being alone 

in your fictional (?) world

and

knowing soon

you'll be sharing a new book 

with readers.

Whatever.

Happy writing.

***

Moody April has arrived. 

One day, sunshine and warmth, 

the next, rain or snow and dreary clouds. 

REMEMBER, Two things:

• YOU MUST ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS OF THE MONTH to be considered for the monthly prize. And...
• You MUST check back here on the last Wednesday of the month to see if you've won. I will usually share the blog link on my Facebook author page but it's YOUR obligation to contact me here on the blog with your mailing information (or you can let me know you'll share it with email or private message on FB. 

April's First Question:  

What is your favorite SPRING flower and does it have a significant meaning to you?


April's second Question:

Do you ever read the last page of a book FIRST?




April's Third (and last) Question:
Has there ever been a character from any book
 that has remained in your memory 
or impacted you in some way?
(and the answer "No" is also acceptable)

Don't forget to share this site!

Prizes?

A kindle copy of any of my books: your choice
(  Amazon  )

 and 

Your choice of either of these beautiful scarves

OR

Don't forget to share!

Have Fun!

On Passionate Writing Writing: Vision

Writing is like driving a car at night.

You only see as far as your headlights go.

But You can make the whole trip that way.

--Doctorow

The ability to see--as a writer--

varies from person to person.

Some see a step/car length ahead of them

(seat of the pants writing)

and some see farther

in measures

(as in, outliners).

What is right,

What is wrong?

Neither.

It's the individual's writing journey.

Stepping into the dark is not possible.

Sometimes...

inspiration hits and an author writes.

Sometimes, planning takes place first,

and an author writes.

Either way is a method

of finishing that book.

That poem.

That song.

Whatever.

What works for you?

What advances your writing?

What ideas improve your work?

What kind of journey are you one?

That's what works for you.

Our writing journey is unique.

Don't try to be someone else.

Be yourself.

Led by your own imagination,

ability,

talent, 

and, most of all, 

God.

Happy writing!

***

Don't forget to answer EVERY question this month.

First Question: 

What is one thing you'd like to 

change about your life--if you could--this spring?

Second Question:

Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Why or why not?

Third Question (and last one of the month):

What is your favorite early Spring flower?

YOU MUST ANSWER EVERY QUESTION FOR THIS MONTH

to be considered for a prize.

Prizes?
A $5.00 gift card from AMAZON

and 
a kindle copy of any of my books: your choice

https://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1521631706&sr=8-1

and 

a lovely bookmark 

with an inspiring quote on it.

NEXT WEDNESDAY

I'll announce the winner of 

March's Contest!

Best!