For the Criminally Inane

February is such a hard month for me. Thankfully it's only twenty-eight days long! Maybe it's because Christmas is over and paid for. Really I think it's because it's cold. I'm solar-powered. Not sure I can live north of the Mason-Dixon line. I'm having a hard time staying motivated. For Valentine's Day, my husband got me a novel-writing aid, Scrivener. I've imported my latest WIP, but I just stare. I've written the whole first draft, but at chapter 20 or so, it lags. How do I fix it? I asked the baby Budda, the all-knowing oracle of cuteness (my 9-month old) and he shook his head at my latest solutions. Now what? Part of the problem is that the said 9-month old is waking every hour, sometimes less at night. My creative brain is fried. How do you keep going under some crazy stress?

I subscribe to Nelson Literary Agency's newsletter and found out that one of their agents was going to do a Webinar about the first three pages and do a critique. Wow! I mean, the opportunity to get my pages under the eyes of one of my top-tier picks, where can I sign up? So I did. The webinar was fun and informative. I got my critique back last night and she didn't lambaste it too much. Still needs some work before I send it out.

November is National Novel Writing Month. I didn't participate this year. Next year though. One of my writers friends finished his first novel. He can now call himself a novelist :) In my opinion, novels are like running a marathon in stilettos. Writing a good novel is like running in stilettos, wearing an evening gown, and juggling. Great writers make it look so easy. Good novels make me laugh cry and entertain, all while going to the distance! My favorite novels: Gone with the Wind Princess Bride What are your favorites and why?

I think that writing emotionally comes from writing honestly, but I think that to do that, you need to paint the picture of emotions not just scenery. Everyone has in their own head, an idea of what the main character looks like, but you need as a writer, to convey her emotions. I think my new mantra in writing is feel what I feel not see what I see.

-Anybody who knows a lot about something. -Anybody who knows a little about a lot of things. -Anybody who has something to say. -Anybody who has a story to tell. -Anybody who has a dream to share. -Anybody who has an agenda. -Anybody who has a passion. First, anyone who knows a lot about something. Yes, these are our experts. I read a book about how to do real estate. I thought maybe the guy had learned from his own experience. Nope. Turns out, he got his information from another guy and the author made money selling a book of another guy's secrets. I felt a little ripped off. But here you are. If you know something, you don't even have to have experience, write a book and make your fortune. Second, anyone who knows a little about a lot of things. These are your jack-of-all-trades guys. You know the ones, the know-it-alls. I fall into this category. I know enough about stuff just to get me into trouble, but not enough to make a living at it. I'm the resident kn...

I think that the best stories told out there are the ones written honestly. I"m not saying that everything in the story has to be true, because of course, that's what makes fiction, it's fake. When I talk about honesty, I mean that the real feeling comes out. I think this is why books like the Twilight series are a big hit. Stephanie Meyer wrote them with honest emotion. Too many writers think they have to have big and new and interesting words, clever plotting, and sizzling dialogue. Yes, you need all those things, but don't forget to open your heart a little and pour out yourself on the page. Ms. Meyer did that and she succeeded. Now, it takes some courage to write your deepest fears, your sexiest dreams, your worst part of yourself. But it's when we let ourselves go, that we find ourselves and find ourselves connecting with others. On a different note...don't you hate it when you get a good idea but you are not a good enough writer to pull off your ...

Went to a new doctor yesterday. Every time I go, I have to fill out one of those healthy surveys with questions like: Do you have, ever have, intend to have any of the following . . . and then they list horrible things. Thankfully, I can strike through the column of illnesses. It makes me grateful that I have never smoked, never drank and never took drugs. Makes me thankful that I have been blessed with a healthy body. I think of my predecessors who passed on some healthy genes and rejoice in my good fortune. I like having a dose of perspective every once in a while.