Book Bloggers

Or, as I like to call them, my heroes.

I just want to say thank you to all of the amazing book bloggers who have not only taken the time to review Gateway, but were willing to give a self-published e-book a shot. All authors depend on reviews and word of mouth, but with indie authors that need is greatly magnified. Even were a reviewer to not care for my book I would appreciate their willingness to read it!

I believe in my novel and the series it kicks off, but knowing there are others out there who have enjoyed it is inspiring. Knowing they'll take the time to tell others is absolutely fabulous!

Thanks again!

I'm not Gonna Lie...

It's been rough going this past week. I came back from Europe feeling invigorated and inspired, and then... I'm not sure what happened. Maybe it was just life that happened. I started feeling less than thrilled with what I was writing. Then I had a relationship rift I needed to heal. You know how draining that can be. The next day came the $1100 tax bill from incorrectly reporting my earnings in 2009.

I gave myself a couple of days to check out and recover, but it's been a few, and I haven't. I still feel blah and I still am not excited about where my story is going, even though logically, I think it's going in the right direction. I've just lost the juice, the passion to get the words down on paper and I'm afraid that I might not find it anytime soon.

And it's not just a passion for writing, I'm kind of feeling turned off by most things, which is a red alert for someone who suffers from depression. I'm doing my best to weather the storm and I hope it doesn't last too long.

Hello, World. Did you miss me?

Hey all! I'm back from my "Take Mom to Europe/Research Books 2 and 3 of The Gateway Series" trip. Stay tuned for new posts and updates about the next book. For now, here's your first look at Book 2:

Get and Stay Motivated!

I tend to vacillate between bursts of creativity and periods of sloth. My goal is to lessen the latter and increase the former. In that vein, here are a few tips to help you get going on whatever project is in front of you:

Find a Mantra
"We are what repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
Aristotle said that, and I think he's on to something. My first tip is to find or create a mantra or slogan that spurs you to action. My uncle, a veteran marathon runner well into his 70's had a mantra he used whenever a race got tough, "It's against my religion to walk downhill." The first race (only 12 miles, not a marathon, I confess) he and I did together, he shared that nugget of wisdom with me, and I use it to this day.
What mantra might work for you? Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:

• Time is precious; I use mine wisely.
• Life is short; I do what I love!
• If it supports my vision, I do it.
• I take the next right step.

Focus on the Why
Why is this goal important? What changes do you hope to see in your internal and external worlds because you've achieved it? What about it resonates with you and makes your heart beat a little faster?
Focusing on why we want to do something can help us stay on track

On Scrapping Most of My First Draft

I was talking with a good friend about how I wouldn't be using the majority of what I'd written for the first draft of Book 2 and she reminded me of a story about an artist (who's name escapes me) that would paint an entire tree, even if the final piece would only depict a few limbs. When asked why he would do all of that extra work he said that if he didn't paint the whole tree, how would he know where the branches belonged?


This was comforting, because I know that even if I don't use much of what I've written, it all serves the overall story. I got a better understanding of some new characters, and found ways to increase tension in the plot. Ultimately, I'm changing things because I think it will make for a better novel, which makes the effort worth it.


So, I'm busy with draft 2, even if half of it will really be a first draft. Wish me luck!

Things are Looking Up

I feel better than I have in a while. I'm not gonna lie--it was touch and go for a little while a few weeks back. I had a change in medication and it threw me for a loop that lasted a couple of weeks. It was at the worst possible time, too, (is there ever a good time for extreme nausea and moderate depression?) because I'm working hard to make my deadline of having Book 2 of The Gateway Series out by November. It's the tightest deadline I've ever held myself to, so being sidelined for two weeks was the last thing I needed.


What I want to focus on though, is even with feeling both mentally and physically awful, I did my best to stay centered. I kept my awareness--as best I could--on the fact that this would pass, and sooner or later I would feel ready to be part of the world. (There was a one week period where I didn't leave the house--when I felt up to eating, I ordered in.)


I think that shift in focus--from it will always be this way to this too shall pass--made for an easier re-entry back into the world when I was up for it. Although I was still plagued by the feelings of "I'm a loser" that often accompanies a bout of depression that seems based in nothing, I was able to hold those feelings somewhat at bay. And the truth was, there was a reason. A change in medication always precipitates side-effects of some kind. It's just hard to accept that sometimes when I'm in the throws of an episode.


In keeping with my goal of progress not perfection, I'm taking this as a win. It was a rough couple of weeks, but I'm back, I'm writing 3-4k words a day and am preparing for a trip to Europe with my mother. (During which I will be researching Books 2 and 3 which take place almost exclusively in France and Italy.)


I'm not sure if anyone else is interested in the inner workings of my mind and/or my struggles with depression, but it is no secret that many creative types have suffered similarly, so I thought I would share it on the off chance it would resonate with some of you.


Here's to hoping I continue to feel great, and hoping all of you do, too!

Last Minute Travel

I'm headed back to Europe! Books 2 and 3 of The Gateway Series partially take place in France and Italy and I'm planning to do some research while I'm there. I love my job :)