Determination Incarnate

I recently attended my first critique group near my new home and immediately missed the old one in the desert. The first woman listening to my reading warmed me up with serious criticism. I’m telling not showing she said, with determination. Ouch. After reflecting on her comments, it occurred to me that I had read my new prologue and I don’t think it’s supposed to dish everything out on a silver-plated platter. In fact, some people don’t even read prologues. It is a special piece of writing that gives a tiny bit of insight into how a story unfolds or why certain things will happen, later. It is before the showing and thus it is first, so I’m not really peeved about her comments because she was right, (did you hear that Miss Creeteek?) In this case, however, I think I’m right too. Any thoughts?

Now for a poem using the word determination.

Cloud White by Eve Gaal

The empty page,

Shakes its fist

with anger and determination.

It means well,

But I turn away,

Deciding to ride my bike, bake cookies, swim some laps...

and watch some incredible cloud formations.

The novel will have to wait.


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I guess the ultimate question facing a novelist is: 

Is he/she DETERMINED ENOUGH?

Determined to finish-

Despite the distractions-

Despite everything.

To advertise-

To promote-

To share-

To network-

And to write sequels?

Have you done it?

Will you do it again?

Are you creating a new story right now?

Will you follow through with the research?

Do you have an editor?

How about a cover?

A platform?

A blurb?

Will you finish it?

If you're not a writer--

I'm sure you can still relate.

Are there projects sitting on a shelf, needing your attention?

Someday, you think.

Willpower? Perhaps. 

I call it determination.

Acknowledging God's Love

People see God every day, they just don't recognize him. ~Pearl Bailey

God enters by a private door into each individual. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

My mother used to marvel at how I could create a dinner quickly and with very few ingredients. Flattered at the time, I now realize those early meal endeavors were not my genius and had very little to do with my talent.

Later, she told me how incredible it was that I could go out and earn money simply by using my wits and bubbly personality. Of course, there was more to it than that, but the intangible aspect of advertising did make my family wonder about my product, my nice suits and fast car. My product was ‘space’ and it wasn't the final frontier. During those years, I placed a lot of emphasis on teamwork and never felt that my ideas were the sole reason clients loved our newspaper. I was part of a daily jigsaw puzzle that needed ink, graphic artists, pressmen, reporters, circulation staff and a publisher. Now I look back and realize there was something even more important helping me along. This something is stronger than anything on Earth and back in those days I wouldn't have known how to explain it to anyone—this invisible force opened doors, helped me smile when my pantyhose ripped or my car’s air conditioner went on the blink and made normally cranky, overworked businessmen listen to my sales pitch--on top of all that, I wasn't even aware of this incredible phenomenon and worked like an underground army ant in total oblivion. 

Today, I’m cognizant and extremely grateful. If I make a dinner and it doesn't quite taste or look the way I expected, there’s still gentle reassurance coming from my loving husband who will eat anything I prepare, while telling me he loves it. Again, the unconditional love coming through to me, building me up and reminding me I am important.

(My post today is about small things that move us along-- not the coping mechanisms and magic assisting us during tragedy and painful loss-- which is miraculous and worthy of a deeper discussion.)

In conclusion, every one of us is important. (If someone jumped in front of you in line at the coffee place this morning, maybe tomorrow, you’ll get a quicker line or fresher coffee. Maybe they’ll be offering a two for one coupon for customers coming back the next day with a friend and it's fair to consider that the one who jumped in front of you might have been hurrying to a hospital. Only God knows everyone’s story.)

Summary:

The intangible love of God surrounds everyone. 

He knows what you need.

Whether you pray or not, He wants to help.

Have you noticed this too?

An Online Writing Group

Have you seen the 30 second trailer for my novel, Penniless Hearts? It's my first video and a generous gift for being a member of PnP Authors, which is quickly becoming a favorite online writing group. Of course, if I knew anything about putting together a trailer, it would have Hawaiian music and some tropical flowers bursting out around the edges but I'm still impressed with the volcano art. Take a look and tell me what you think.
Click here:
Check it out:


One aspect of any writing group is to be supportive. PnP Authors has various discussion groups, poetry contests and even a page to spotlight your book.
Recently, they published a collection of short stories and poems Click here to get your copy.

Inside you'll find three of my poems and one of my short stories, not to mention lots more creative writing by other incredible authors. If you are interested in joining PnP Authors, then go to this link: PnP Authors. I hope to see you chatting away out there and maybe you can have your book spotlighted too.

Arrogant Clouds in July

Summer blew in on some high and mighty clouds.

Bringing hot air--

Mild humidity--

Soaring temperatures--

Over 100,

Still 15 to 20 degrees cooler than our previous residence.

The locals complain but I feel grateful.

Thankfulness washes over me like a waterfall.

Or perhaps it’s time to turn on the air conditioning?

Juiciest watermelons, straw hats, evening strolls under magnificent starry nights

Where the big dipper sits low and June bugs scatter,

Now that it’s July.

Are you thankful for something right now? 

Shoes Filled With Stories

Have you ever thought about the shoes lined up at a thrift store and wondered where they've been? A road less traveled, perhaps because they didn't fit correctly? Were the people who wore them nice? Do scuffs on the soles mean the wearers of those shoes were busy?  Maybe you speculated about some glitzy, slightly worn, gold-leather sandals, imagining the woman who wore them and whether they enjoyed lots of hugs and kisses while wearing them? Did she kick them off? Did someone gently unbuckle the straps and throw them next to the bed? Maybe they danced all night doing the Tango. ... Read my story, Circles and Tangos to share in my nostalgic reminiscing.

Another Left Shoe is about-- well exactly that--but my interpretation and memoir translated the title to mean shoes that stayed behind and are thus, left to those of us who might use them again. This anthology has many stories by other writers including Timothy Hurley, Nancy Clark Townsend and Laura Rittenhouse. The collection was edited and compiled by Betsy A. Riley. Click here for your copy of :Another Left Shoe

Five Steps to Avoid While Suffering From Writer's Block

One of my friends mentioned writer’s block the other day and since I've had a spell of it these last few months, I thought I should reach into my heart and pull out the best advice I have for this horrible condition. I say horrible, because as writers, words are to flow from our head onto the computer screen like honey from a hive. Anyway, let’s say we’re stuck and can’t think of anything to write. The blank page stares back and the cursor flashes like a train coming at us in the middle of the night. We need to scramble off the tracks and figure out what to say, what to write and communicate with those who are waiting to hear from us. Easy, right? Okay, well maybe not. Sometimes we’re stuck in some sort of quicksand that sucks the life right out of us—pulling us deeper and deeper down—farther and farther away from any signs of intelligent life.

1. At this point, you might feel like a chimpanzee. If you jump on the keyboard and hit all the letters, simultaneously something wonderful will happen or you’ll just jam your computer. This is the point where you need to come to terms with your ‘condition’. Acceptance is crucial, because computer repair can get expensive. (Trust me, I know this from experience.) Ignoring this deficiency will not heal or improve anything. It is time to face the facts and come to terms with your blockage.

2. Your first course of action might be to seek out nourishment. You need food--chocolate covered bananas, barbecued chicken pizza and coconut cream pie—perhaps giant burgers dripping with cheese? Now that you’re satiated, the words should come but instead you have an ache in your gut and it’s moving towards your heart. Once writer’s block gets deep inside of you, it’s called something else—ever hear of constipation? Sorry, but it’s true—food isn't the answer.

3. How about music? Would the spiritual music your grandmother enjoys help pull the emotion from your soul? Does rock and roll distract you with memories of times you’d rather not talk about and certainly don’t want to write down? Will soothing music inspire you or put you to sleep? Will singers and lyrics push you to write things you didn't intend to write? Don’t rely on music because it can sway you in various directions like the wind.

4. Booze? Is losing all your inhibitions a good idea? Will you create prose and poetry like never before? Perhaps you will write the best stuff but is that the side you want to portray to the entire world? I suppose if it’s good enough for Bukowski and Hemingway it’s good enough for the rest of us but it isn't my first choice to tackle writer’s block. Furthermore, it would lull me to sleep. Yawn. Not only is it impossible to create something while sleeping but also the hangover the following day doesn't help either.

5. Illegal Substances—Might spark something for a short time and this is an uncomfortable and dangerous ditch for those who have made a bad decision. Anxious for an original idea, but too miserable to realize the consequences, this choice can work, but can also kill you. Forget being desperate, because there is hope. Don’t do it.

My recommendation is to put a controversial word on that blank page. Stare at it as long as you want until you begin adding related words. It may look like a modern poem at first but soon something should evolve. If you can’t think of more words to add, then leave it alone for a few hours to steep like a teabag in a pot of warm water. The word will brew in your head and when you return, words should fall like stars onto your creation. If not, return to step one.

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Fighting Faeries, Pugnacious Pixies and Angels on Guard.

Perhaps war is a strong word for the windy, dusty, little fairies that twist around the corner of our house and wrap around my saplings looking for trouble in paradise. I can almost hear the sound of laughter or is miniature weaponry changing the frequency into a gently slashing hiss? Uninvited, these are the naughty ones perhaps bouncing from heaven maybe even tossed intentionally into our garden. 

Maybe they were angels once and now that summer is here, they will redeem themselves by mellowing out and offering up wildflowers as penance. Do you think good angels are battling these sprites? Whatever it is that floats wildly into the afternoon yard dissipates by twilight. It’s as if they crawl into bed, pull up the covers and prepare to dream of victory while slumbering under the stars.