IWSG

This post is part of the Insecure Writer's Support Group hop.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!  Posting is first Wednesday of every month. Click here for more info.

So I have been really busy at my new job, which has everything else on hold while I try to learn it all. Good news on that front as people seem to be talking about me there and I may have a promotion in my near future.

That is not saying, though, that my writing life is put away. It has just had to take a bit of a backseat. But I think things are leveling out. I also have some cool news about a book I illustrated. Hope to share it soon.

So on to the question of the month.

When do you know your story is ready?

This is a hard one for sure. I mean is it ever ready? As artist we can work on something forever if we were allowed. Also sometimes we get sick of looking at the same piece of art and want to be done with it or if we are honest put it in a box for a few years and deal with it later.

I guess the best answer is, a story is ready when we are ready to let it go. 

Hope everyone is well. I can't wait to be back blogging regularly. As always have fun and keep writing. 

The heart behind it all.

Being creative is hard.

Now that I have written that incredible understatement, let me try to delve deeper.

Obviously it isn't easy to be artistic, so much goes into it. To create from something as evasive as your mind is like trying to get a sugar fueled toddler to sit still for more than ten seconds. 

The problem with being creative or artistic is that there is a need to do so. We have to do it to be who we are. I guess if I lived on an island with a giant bag of money and no responsibilities, then it may not be so difficult to accomplish or as heartbreaking when I fail.

I don't have an island or a giant bag of money. If you do...please share with the rest of us.

Still, all of this aside, I think one thing stands out for me when trying to create.

To truly make art you have to open up a vulnerable part of yourself. I honestly think that is why we take so long to get started. The act of doing something daily could be nothing more than allowing us to find a way to access this part of ourselves easier. 

I am not overly affectionate. I mean I love love, but I have to work to share my emotions with those close to me. This doesn't mean I am not an emotional person. In fact to the contrary I am extremely so. Life has done a lot of work to bottle that up. 

The problem with this is when I go to access these emotions for my art I end up in a pretty vulnerable state. In this state when those responsibilities I so soundly handled a few moments before come knocking, it all falls apart. 

I guess maybe that is the trick. Find a way to be open without being vulnerable. Either that or find a log cabin somewhere to hole up in. 

Anyway, how does everyone else feel about this? I hope all are well and as always, have fun and keep writing.  

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!


Well it is that time again.

I have been thinking a lot about what helps me as an author. 

I know that writing everyday, reading wide and abundant and revise, revise, revise, are all very important for growth. These are all things I have used to finish and make my novels better. 

Something extra I think may trump them all is interaction with other author's. That is why this group is so important. I have been trying to think of some new ways to do that so I also decided to start a new series on youtube.

The video is about 13 minutes, but I hope you guys will check it out and let me know what you think.

Anyway what is going on with you? I hope everyone is well. As always have fun and keep writing.

Progress Report # 2

Hello everyone, I got another progress report for you.

Unfortunately the job I just got had to do a lay off. I saw it coming, but it still sucks. Luckily I rock interviews so I got another job lined up already. Still this is just another hit to my focus. 

I feel like for whatever reason finishing this book has become a herculean labor. Hard as it is, I am finding myself up to the task. I had some great sessions this past week. I will not be held down, lol. 

I am learning how adaptive of a person I am. I am also learning to push the doubt aside. 

My focus lately is on how to get my name out there. I have a Facebook, a Twitter and a blog. These I have used to get the sales I have so far. I have been thinking it is time to add a new one to the list. 

I have enjoyed blogging a lot and the biggest thing I have enjoyed has been connecting with people. So to further that, I am going to make use of my YouTube channel. 

I will focus mostly on writing and my process much like the blog, but I will also have some other things thrown in. I guess I could say it better myself in this vid. 

Anyway, what is everyone else up to? Hope you guys enjoy the vid. As always, have fun and keep writing. 

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!


So as I finally come close to the end of my first draft for this latest book, I find myself looking back on all that went into it. The two previous installments for sure, but also a lot of life.

What I mean by that is a lot has happened to me between writing the first book in this series and now. I wish I could say that all of it has been good, but honestly while there were great moments, this has been a very hard and trying few years.

Still, I got to meet great people, like my amazing CP, S.K. Anthony, my wonderful and insightful editor, Janie. I have all of you wonderful people coming to my blog and giving me hope and sustaining my interest. 

I've had some great personal things happen as well and while the bad often seems to outweigh the good it is a true statement that, the light shines through. 

My love for writing pushes me, but it is you wonderful people that offer a refuge from my worries and teach me so much. 

So this IWSG I just want to thank you all for being you, keep that stuff up won't you?

Also I wanted to let everyone know about a cool new website and video up on a friend's page. Check them out, these guys are fun to watch and the website sounds really cool. So click here and go check it out, for real, do it...no seriously click it. 

Anyway, I hope everyone is well. As always have fun and keep writing.

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!


So as I finally come close to the end of my first draft for this latest book, I find myself looking back on all that went into it. The two previous installments for sure, but also a lot of life.

What I mean by that is a lot has happened to me between writing the first book in this series and now. I wish I could say that all of it has been good, but honestly while there were great moments, this has been a very hard and trying few years.

Still, I got to meet great people, like my amazing CP, S.K. Anthony, my wonderful and insightful editor, Janie. I have all of you wonderful people coming to my blog and giving me hope and sustaining my interest. 

I've had some great personal things happen as well and while the bad often seems to outweigh the good it is a true statement that, the light shines through. 

My love for writing pushes me, but it is you wonderful people that offer a refuge from my worries and teach me so much. 

So this IWSG I just want to thank you all for being you, keep that stuff up won't you?

Also I wanted to let everyone know about a cool new website and video up on a friend's page. Check them out, these guys are fun to watch and the website sounds really cool. So click here and go check it out, for real, do it...no seriously click it. 

Anyway, I hope everyone is well. As always have fun and keep writing.

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!



This month I am putting away my usual and consistent to the point of boredom, insecurities. 

This month I have a different sort. What seems like ages ago I talk about a children's book I did illustrations for. Because of issues in the author's life the book had been slow going. 

Well, I just got word that he has finally got everything ready and is looking for an editor to send it to. This is great news. I had so much fun drawing the characters and scenes. 

My insecurity is in the fact that after drawing them I had no control over them. The author is someone I trust and well, he paid me for the art so it is his now. Still, as an artist this is the first time I am not in control of what is done with it, how it is formatted and how it will be presented.

In some ways it is nice to let go and have someone else deal with it. In others it is a bit scary. 

I wonder if this is what traditional publishing feels like?

Anyway, how is everyone doing? I hope you are all well, as always, have fun and keep writing.  

Progress Report # 1

So, it has been a little bit since my last post. This week marks a month at my new job. I think things have finally started to regulate. 

I actually got some writing done this week, so that is nice. Finding that balance between family and work is a struggle, but thus is life. I think structure is important for any writer, but doubly so for writers with a day job. 

Last weekend was fun because we decided to be spontaneous and drive three hours to the beach in Charleston. It was a mixed bag considering we have a two year old. He did pretty good with the trip and it was his first time at the beach. 

He loved it at first, but then got cold and so was not too happy. Still once changed and allowed to play in the sand the happy returned. 

The job is going well, my youngest has realized that me leaving is a permanent thing and so has started staying awake until I get home. Once he sees me he goes out, but not until then. Sweet for me, kind of a pain for my wife. 

Anyway, I feel like Saturdays will be a great day for me to try and blog. I may try to add Wednesdays for other content, but keep this as sort of an update day. I hope everyone is doing well, as always have fun and keep writing. 

P.S. below is a video of my youngest first time at the beach. 

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!

Wow, so I have not post since the last IWSG. Which means I missed a lot of you guys' A-Z. I am going to try and get around and at least see some of your post.


So as many of you know I was sort of a stay-at-home dad. I mean I would do some part-time stuff here and there for extra money(and some sanity). Still for the last 5 years I got to be with my kids and write, my wife had a great job and she enjoyed it. Well as they say the only constant is change. 


My wife's job was bought by another company and they decided to try and move her two hours further away (she already drove an hour) and they were 12 hour shifts. We decided this wouldn't work. 

So for the first time in a bit I am back to full time work. The job is pretty cool I get to work with metal and feel all manly and rustic. I am sure it will make for good writing fodder at some point. 


The down side is it has been hard to fit in writing and blogging. I want to do both, I enjoy doing both. I just have to adjust. 


So what is going on in your lives lately? 


Anyway, as always, have fun and keep writing. 

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!



So my writing has come back to me. I knew it would and with time I am pretty much back to writing everyday.

I think what worked for me was just focusing on other things. The things that make me happy. 

I had a great weekend with my family and got my youngest outside to go on some adventures. 

I guess the only thing I am really struggling with right now is blogging. So perfect place to ask. How do you guys stay regular with blogging?

Anyway I will leave you all with a picture of me and my little buddy as we explored our yard. 

So BvS!

So it is no shock to anyone who knows me that I was highly anticipating this movie. In fact one could say this was my most anticipated movie since Tim Burton's Batman. 

So the movie came out and it has of course been a controversial affair. 

So without spoilers let me give my opinion on why and my review of this movie.

So a lot depends on who you are as a viewer. If you read current comics you will love this movie. If you have not been a fan since the 60s or 70s, there is still things for you, but you may also find some things uncomfortable. 

If you are a Marvel fan, as in the MCU( Marvel Cinematic Universe), this movie will be different than what you have seen so far. It is not a candy pop comic movie. It is much lighter than say, Watchmen(also directed by Snyder), but still deals with some darker elements. 

The biggest factor is if you go into this movie expecting to see a new universe be built and do its own thing. 

So my review. Is the movie perfect? No. I wish that it was, but then I wished Age of Ultron was as well. Is it a great movie? You bet it is. The first time I watched it, I really enjoyed it. Some things I had guessed came true and somethings were a surprise. The second time I watched it I found myself really enjoying it even more. This is a thick movie and there are layers to be seen. 

There are a lot of people, for varying reason, trying to trash this movie and I am glad that the fans have come out to say they will not be swayed. So far BvS has had the biggest Superhero opening to date. It also just had the biggest March Monday in history. 

If you are on the fence about this one I suggest bringing a teen with you. (Like don't kidnap one or anything, but if you know somebody) While older movie goers gave this movie a B cinema score 18 and under movie goers gave it an A-. 

Anyway I personally am excited for what the DCEU has to offer. Bring on Justice League!!!

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!



This past month has been very trying. 

I have really found myself in a place where I struggle to make since of it all. Between the loss of my dog and several other things happening around the same time, I truly have been in a state of reevaluation. 

I guess in all this is not a bad thing. We should all sometimes step back and try to understand why we are where we are and how we can change that.

I guess I am just finding it hard to focus on the things that I truly want to focus on. 

Maybe it is just a matter of time. 

I mean, in the end decisions will be made and things will carry out their own course. Hopefully by the time the next IWSG comes around I will have a much lighter and happier post to give.

Fingers are crossed.

I hope everyone is well. As always, have fun and keep writing.

Sad day.

Today I am sad. 

Sad seems a paltry word, but it is one I will use.

A friend I have had for nine years died yesterday. I don't wish to talk about how because it is too painful.

It is pretty devastating for me and I guess I am writing this as a way of getting it out somehow. If writing is therapy then let's hope this is therapeutic.  

I hope everyone is well and please keep the beings you care about close to you, there is no telling how long we have with them. 

Toddler Smash!!

The past few months have been hectic as they tend to be lately.  The one plus to this had been that I'd gotten a lot of writing done. 

Well I am sure you can see where this is going. 

It has been so crazy that I wasn't doing something I always do which is back up my files. I had been writing on Light Bringer(third book in the LB saga) and notes on two other stories. 

So my youngest, who will be two in March, is very mobile now. He is enjoying his free roaming time. My laptop sits beside me by my desk so I can charge it. Well, one day I was letting him run and play and he decided to run around my chair and his foot hooked the cord to may laptop. The whole thing came down. 

I made sure he was okay and then set my computer down. He was upset because the fall scared him so I didn't really check the computer. I grabbed him up and made him happy again. 

It wasn't until I went to write that I noticed the the plug that goes into the computer was bent. I've had it happen before on other computers and they tend to bend back in shape. So I tried to do that and a large blue spark shot out and the metal broke.

Now my computer won't turn on.

I looked up getting a new cord and the one they have doesn't match up to my computer and it is seventy dollars. There is also one on Amazon that is closer and is only seven bucks. I think I will try the latter. I just hope the computer itself will be fine. That is a lot of writing that I will be losing. 

Anyway that is the joys of my life at the moment. How about you? Ever have a child break your computer? Ever lose writing because you didn't back it up? As always, have fun and keep writing.

For all those struggling to work out and eat healthy.

For all those struggling to work out and eat healthy. 

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!

Emotional Writing/ Structured Writing


I think a lot of new writers fall into this.

I hear a lot of people say things like, "How do you get in the mood to write." or "I wasn't feeling it today."

These are indicators of an emotional writer.

How do I know?

Because I am one myself. 

It isn't a complete negative, but it does have many downsides.

An upside is most of your writing will be charged with the emotional state you find yourself in. This can make for some great scenes.

Like I said though, there are downsides. The biggest being that when you are having a bad time your writing often suffers. 

Personally the last year and half has been one of the more emotionally hard times I have had in a while and my writing has suffered for it. So what is to be done?

Well, I am making the transition to being a structured writer. Instead of waiting for the muse to strike me I have set times on a semi-flexible schedule that I am supposed to be writing. I make myself turn on that computer and I write.

It is still a struggle, but it is working. 

Most of the writers I admire and who have found success, model their work off of this type of writing.

I hope to follow in their footsteps.

Anyway that is what is going on in my writing world. What kind of writer are you? As always have fun and keep writing. I will leave you all with this inspirational video.

The flip side.

If I am to be fair in my blogging, I feel I have to write about the flip side of what I spoke about last time.

Having the right people in your life is very important even on small levels. The other side of that is those people that seem to suck the life out of you.

We have all had them in our lives or maybe still do. 

They are the people that always know whats best for you and endlessly give advice that is more about their own self-gratification than actually helping you.

They are the people who have no real ambition for their life, but still want to tell you how to live yours.

There are also the ones that only bring negativity to you. Sometimes it is drama from their own life, or talking down about anything you do.

These people are a constant in life and they don't appear to be going away anytime soon.

I think sometimes we feel obligated to stay with people even when they are toxic. Sometimes we don't realize they are toxic until way too late.

My advice on this is to take stock of your life. Look at the people around you, find out who makes you happy, who lifts you up and then find the ones who are doing the opposite and create as much space as possible between the two of you.

Life is short and you are the only one responsible for making yours a happy one. 

Anyway not the lightest blog I have ever written, but I know that we have to be active in our own lives. As always, have fun and keep writing.

Writing analogy.

Hey everyone, back from the holidays. Hope everyone had fun. 

I enjoy working out. It comes in ebbs and flows, and I am not always the healthiest person, but it is a pretty constant in my life. I have worked out solo before and can manage, but I have found that having a partner can greatly improve what you are trying to do. 

It is interesting that writing is much the same. Most see being an author as a solitary thing and often times it is, but there are very good reasons why you should surround yourself with the right people. 

Pushing yourself.

When I work out alone I have my goals and I try hard to meet them. The problem is, it is so much easier to make excuses when I get tired or things become hard. Having that person there that is on your level truly helps because if they do the set and finish it out it pushes you to put the extra work in.

Writing is the same. That is why Critique Partners are so great. They can push you and give you the drive to push that story a little farther. They can be there to offer encouragement when you feel like you are failing. 


Getting help.

Sometimes when you are trying to grow in an area while working out, asking a trainer or other people in the gym for some advice can really help take your game to the next level.

Again writing has the same thing. Editors and beta readers are important because they are outside people who can see what you are doing and offer their opinions on things that are working and things you can improve. 

In both it isn't necessarily that you can't do the work, but having someone on the outside that can see the things you may be too close to will always be a benefit. 

Helping others.

I love working out with people who are new to it. It can help my confidence and also help me understand why I do things the way that I do them.

Pretty much word for word this applies to writing. Giving advice can help us put into words our writing process and it can give that little boost when we are feeling down.


Writing is often a solo activity. Working out and trying to be healthy will always come down to you making the right choices yourself. Still, the people we choose to have around us will often have a large hand in whether we succeed or fail. 

Anyway, it is great to be back I hope everyone is doing well. As always have fun and keep writing!!