Coffee Break

Coffee Break

I've been looking for a non-busy coffee shop to write in during the morning hours (since I can't seem to get it done at home--the dishes call to me).  I finally found one that is busy in the evening but DEAD in the morning.  Can you imagine?

It's got comfy chairs.  Beautiful artwork.  Lots of tables to choose from.  Plus the coffee is wonderful!!  BIG plus.  I'm so excited.  Squeeee!!!

Where is your favorite place to write?

Celebrating!

Today my second born, my baby girl, turns thirteen.  She is shifting from a child into a beautiful woman.

To my sweet girl: You are beautiful and golden from the inside out.  You make me laugh even on the toughest days.  You're tender-hearted enough to refrain from making fun of me when I cry in lame movies.  Little children flock to you like the pied piper.  I admire your wisdom and grace.  And what would I do without my snugglybean?

I hope you'll remember this day among your treasured ones.

The Next Page

You know that part in writing when you have a plan mapped out but you're not sure HOW you're going to get there?  When you're partway in the story and writing is kind of like watching the next scene in a movie because you don't know what's going to happen?

That's where I'm at right now.  And it's fun.  Something I haven't felt in a while.  My actual writing feels pretty lame but the story is fun.  I'll have to go back and tinker with wordage later but I'm trying not to overthink it too much and keep myself focused on the story.

This is where I usually start to fade.  Halfway into the manuscript, I freeze.  I know, of course, that the middle is hard.  I've read plenty of blogs/books on that subject; but for me it's more about feeling like my words aren't pretty enough, or the story is not original enough.  I don't want to think that way this time.  I just want to enjoy the process of writing it.  And due to my new resolution, I'm making myself push through.

I seem to always assume others struggle where I do; but that's probably NOT an accurate assessment. ;)  So I'm curious, what's the hardest part of writing a story for you?

It Takes Courage

This is one of my latest works.  (Sorry the pictures are blurry and sideways.  My camera's not downloading right now so I took this with my phone.)

On it is a quote from e.e. cummings that I love:   
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

What's taken courage in your journey to becoming who you really are?

Katy Perry - Pearl (With Lyrics) HQ/HD

A Writing Promise

I found myself confused that I was enjoying art more than writing. I shared this with my sister.

"Why do you enjoy art more?" she asked.

"Because I don't feel so much pressure," I said.  "I just play and have fun."

"Then just make art." She shrugged.

Pfffffft!  I was instantly offended.  "No! I'm a writer not an artist."

She cocked her head. "Why?"

Her whys were getting redundant.

"Because I promised myself I would write!"  And suddenly I was back in Mrs. Stevenson's classroom making a vow to be the author of a book--a well-known and completely loved book.

(**Tires screeching to a halt**)

A well-known and COMPLETELY LOVED BOOK?

It was immediately clear why I found it so hard to finish my manuscript.  I was trying to please everyone with ONE BOOK!

I quickly released myself of that childhood vow and made a new promise:
I will be a writer.  Known or not, loved or not, I will write. 
(And paint too!)