My Muse

My muse decided to visit! I wish she'd just become a permanent guest, but I suppose even muses need their beauty sleep. The last two days have been so productive. Not only did I write a prologue and finish (finish is such a relative term) the first three chapters of "Power's Touch", but I also wrote a sweet little lullaby, added some poetic lyrics and feel absolutely good about myself. I really needed that. I do love a productive day.

Researching My Own Work? Yeah...

Today is going to be a research day for me. Research probably isn't the best word, but I'm running with it. I wonder how authors keep track of all the information they have used when they're writing a series. I've been stopped in my writing over the last couple of days because I have to go back and read sections of my first novel to remember what exactly I'd written about a few later scenes before I can move on with the prequel and I just haven't had time to do that. I really need to get organized. Any suggestions on this point would be appreciated! One of my pet peeves is inconstancy and I certainly don't want to be accused of it! I've worked very hard on the time line of my world and it's something I'm a bit proud of. Now to just get the rest of the facts straight. I think my biggest problem is that I love a good complicated story. I know, crazy. Most people like it simple, but I loved trying to keep up with Jordan's Wheel of Time. I loved all the characters, plots and subplots and, admittedly, I have a lot of characters. The plot isn't as complex as his however. I love how Mary Higgins Clark goes back and forth between characters and that's what I've done. I don't mind books that follow just one character all the way through. I'm definitely not picky in that regard, but I like a little chaos... (Maybe that's why I had kids!) So research is on the schedule today. Does it count as research when it's something you've written? Hahaha!

What Am I Doing?

I have to say this might not be the best career choice for me. Just because I love to do it, doesn't mean I'm good at it! I just posted the first paragraph of my novel onto a site where it can be constructively critiqued and my nerves are flitting out of control. I am so scared! Honestly, I know critiquing is subjective, but I'm afraid I haven't even got the basics down. I haven't stepped into an English class for over 10 years and I've never taken a creative writing class. I'm afraid the critiques will be so massive, Like surgery after a heart attack, I might never recover from the shock! Okay, am I being a tad dramatic? Sure! Don't I earn that right just claiming to be an author? Okay, maybe not... Still, wish me like. I'm sweating bullets. And yes, I like cliches! (Especially when I can twist them, but even when I can't, I still enjoy them.)

Maybe I should stick with writing as a hobby. On the other hand, I wrote some amazing lyrics yesterday. The kind were you sit back and tell yourself those actually were pretty clever. With me being the most self-critical person on the planet, you can imagine this doesn't happen very often so stand up and do a happy dance with me. Okay, stay sitting at your computer zoning out on this incredibly schizophrenic post. I'm going to go hide under my bed until it's safe to come out.

Playing with Words

I'm just starting out as a writer, my genre being fantasy, and I have little to no experience. This is just a blog for me to get down on paper so to speak what I've learned, review books (usually the frivolous kind), log fun and interesting observations and keep track of my own progress. Right now, my goals are small and simple. I've written 90% of my first book, but it was being weighed down by back story so I've dropped it for a time while I write its prequel. My goal is to just write a line per day. If that's all that I do, I'll be happy with it at this point. Once I've written it, I plan on going back to the first book to do a rewrite.

I'm a stay at home mom and have plenty keeping me busy for the moment. I don't want writing to become a stress. I want it to be the fantasy world I can run to and enjoy in my downtime. When my kids are all school age, I'll be able to attack this more aggressively, but for now motherhood calls!

Why do I write then if I'm so busy? Because I love it! There is no greater feeling than the one that comes as you create. The means doesn't matter: writing, composing, art, architecture, organizing, dancing, children... It is the most beautiful, magical feeling possible and I'm happy to spend even a little time reveling in this power to create. It's ethereal!