Category: Musings

Holding on

So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light
‘Cause oh that gave me such a fright
But I will hold as long as you like
Just promise me we’ll be alright
–“Ghosts That We Knew,” Mumford and Sons

It has been a difficult week or so (or year, actually). Recently I found out that a friend from college was killed during a robbery attempt. It was a random and shocking act of violence and my heart goes out to his wife and children and family and friends. It’s not supposed to be this way. I can’t help but think about how fragile life is and how things can change in an instant. Combine that with the state of the world these days and it makes you not want to get up in the morning.

Since hiding under a rock isn’t really an option, I guess taking it day by day is the way to go. I have friends dealing with serious health issues and depression and I wish I could make it all better for them. But I can’t. Sometimes there’s nothing we can do except be here for them and live our own lives. Find joy in the little things. Hug your friends and family. Do the things you love. Make every day count. It sounds cliche, but it’s the only way I can think of to get through it.

If all else fails, go outside and blow bubbles with a six-year-old. It was a small part of our vacation this summer but definitely a moment to remember.

Spring has sprung

You know winter has been bad when even this snow lover is longing for spring. At last, it looks like spring has finally arrived here in the Mid-Atlantic, and this time I’m hoping it’s for good.  March was dreary and cold and not to mention hectic. I hate to admit that I failed the March writing challenge to write every day, but there you go. I did well for about the first week and after that things went downhill. One of those “life gets in the way” situations.

I’m going to be optimistic about April. Spring is a time for new beginnings and renewal. The sun has been shining, flowers and trees are blooming, and inspiration is taking hold.

So I leave you with one of my favorite spring poems. My English professor loved to share his rendition of leaping lambs as he read this to us in class. This is definitely one to be read aloud.

Spring
by Gerard Manley Hopkins
(from The Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins)

Nothing is so beautiful as Spring
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush
Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.

What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden. – Have, get, before it cloy,

Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.

Why I didn’t write today

Why didn’t I do any writing today?

I had to…

Clean the house

Spend time with my kiddo

Walk the dog

Feed the dog

Take the dog back outside (in subzero temperatures)

Try to stay warm

Go to work (the day job, the one that pays the bills)

Answer some email

Pay some bills

Check Facebook

Worry about friends having health issues

Read just a few more pages in the final Dark Tower book and feel depressed because I’m sure there isn’t going to be a happy ending

Wonder what in the world I’m supposed to be doing on Twitter

Not to mention Pinterest

Worry that no one reads my Facebook posts

Worry that no one reads my blog posts

Worry that no one is reading my published book—but maybe they’re all waiting for book 2 to come out and take the publishing world by storm… if only I could finish it

Worry about the state of the world because over the weekend there was a shooting at the mall near my house, with three people killed, including the shooter

Sleep

Well, there’s always tomorrow.

Happy new year and a 2014 writer’s wish list

Happy new year! Hard to believe 2014 is here already. I was sick on new year’s eve this year so I’m starting a little late but I’m back in the swing of things now. I hope this will be  the best year yet. I have big plans for you, 2014. All I have to do is make them happen.

And on that note, here is my annual writer’s wish list, updated for 2014.

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1. Time

This one always seems to be a given. I wish I had a TARDIS or a time turner to add some more hours to the day. Really what I need is better time management.

2. De-cluttering

It’s amazing how much stuff you accumulate over the years. I’m determined to become better organized this year and get rid of a lot of stuff I don’t need. Like old drafts of chapters I’ve since rewritten and the box of very old drafts 0f my published novel. Yikes. Why am I holding onto those? Nostalgia? Time to meet the recycling/shredding bin.

3. Finish book 2

I know, I was supposed to do this in 2013. It ended up not being a very productive year overall in terms of writing. I’ve found my way now and I have a plan. Should be easy if I can implement the time management of #1 on the list.

4. Read more

I actually read quite a bit (for me) in 2013 and discovered some great books, not necessarily new but new to me. I’m finally on the last book of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series, which is quite an accomplishment considering the length of some of the books. (Don’t ask about GRRM’s ASoIF, still working on those.) I hope to read and blog more about some of the books I’m discovering and enjoying.

5. Blog more

To start, #4 will give me some things to blog about. I will strive to be more consistent in my posting.

6. Success for my writer friends

A number of writer friends were published last year and several are getting close to publication. We all support each other and I wish them many successes for the coming year. Fingers crossed that someone will make the big time!

7. Reconnecting with friends

We all have busy lives and families, but over the years I’ve realized how important friends are in my life. I’m lucky to have a number of friends who go way back. Even though we don’t see each other very often, we have no excuse not to stay in touch. I’ll do my best to make sure that happens.

8. Write every day

A page a day equals a 365-page novel after a year. It should be doable. After all, that’s what we writers do, isn’t it? We write. I need to remember that.

So do you have any resolutions, writing or otherwise, for the new year? Wishing you much success and happiness in whatever your endeavors may be!

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope those who celebrate it have had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’m thankful for not only taking some time off work for vacation, but also to be spending the holiday with family. It seems like it’s been a rough year for a lot of people I know. Somehow we are all still surviving, but difficult times make you realize how important friends and family are.

Thanks also to the readers who have made it possible for me to achieve my dream of being a published author. There are lots of wonderful indie authors out there waiting to be discovered and we need people to take a chance on new books. Your support means a great deal!

As the shopping frenzy descends for the month of December, please also stop to think about what is really important. With each new year, I’m more and more discouraged by the commercialism. This year I saw Christmas things out at Halloween! What’s next, buying Christmas decorations at back to school time? Now stores are opening up on Thanksgiving to give people more shopping time–which means less time with family and friends. I won’t set foot in a mall this time of year. Online shopping is the way to go. But I also like to buy local and support local craftspeople when I can. I’d much rather give a unique, homemade gift that I know someone will use and enjoy.

So may you truly enjoy the spirit of the holiday season as it descends upon us and focus on the things that are meaningful in your life.