Sometimes You Just Have to Dream

Winter is doing its best to push aside warmer weather.  Although the sun is shining today, I've heard there's a chance of snow later this week.  Not my idea of perfection.  But it does offer a reason to dream.

When I say "dream," I'm not referring to that thing we do when we sleep.  The kind of dream we need to be doing to open our heart and soul to possibilities is done when we're wide awake.  I remember spending time with an old crush on a night filled with snow and ice and cold.  We were trying to think of ways to stay warm--beyond the obvious ☺--and we came up with  thinking about summer things.  Things like a warming sun and the feel of a sidewalk under our bare feet on a summer day.  I thought of an ice cream cone, and the spell was broken.

Dreaming is what gives writers ideas and characters and stories.  It gives painters colors and visions and brushstrokes.  For composers it's rhythm and tone and music.  But one doesn't need to be a writer or painter or composer, or even a dancer or actor or anything involved in being creative and artistic.  Each one of us can gain by letting ourselves dream.

So what if what we dream might not be possible to actually attain?  Anything is possible, if we begin by dreaming.  If we shut ourselves off from possibilities beyond what we believe to be attainable, how can we ever grow and change?  Without those who dreamed of going to the moon, our space program never would have happened.  Without those who dreamed of everyone being able to read and write, how many of us would be reading books and newspaper, and writing?

We're in that tension-building time of the run-up to Christmas.  Thanksgiving is behind us, and we're focused intently on the next holiday.  That tension can quickly morph into stress, and that's something we really don't need.  Not now.  Not at any time.  Just for the next few weeks, lets give ourselves a chance to unwind, relax, and dream, if only for a short time.  Instead of checking Done times off of our mental To Do lists, use part of that time to dream.  And before you know it, you'll be more relaxed and have a smile on your face.  And who knows?  Maybe your wish--or something close to it--will come true.

A dream is a wish your heart makes.

    Walt Disney, Sleeping Beauty

'Twas the Day Before Thanksgiving...

Yes, I know it's a sketch of a desk, but stick with me for a minute.  It is the day before Thanksgiving, and my turkey is thawing in the refrigerator.  Not for fixing tomorrow.  We'll be doing that on Saturday.  As I've explained before, with three daughters who have "in-law" families, I try to make it easier on them by planning our own family holidays on different day.  After all, it's only a date on the calendar.

While many of you are spending this Thanksgiving Eve cleaning and cooking, I'm gearing up to spend mine cleaning and moving furniture.  What can I say?  I'm a Gemini, and although there are aspects of my current arrangement that are great, thanks to working on it for almost a year, I need a change.  I've thought it through and used a scale model on paper to move things around, until everything not only suits me, but fits the room.  That's the hardest of all, of course.  Because today is the beginning of three straight days of freedom, then one day of holiday dinner, and then a final free day for finishing up, it's the perfect time.  Or at least I'm hoping that's the way it works out.

While I'm lifting and shoving and scooching and moving, my mind will be on other things.  I'm working on a new story for a possible new line.  The plot is pretty much set, with only a few changes and tweaks yet to do, but I've made some changes since I first began.  The heroine's GMC has changed from the original idea with relative ease (thank goodness!), and now I'm trying to mold the hero to a new and different backstory, strengthening (I hope) his GMC.  This is the perfect time to do it, because I'll be working on my goal of office re-arranging and re-arranging a story, too.

I'll also be thinking of all the things I'm thankful for.  There's no doubt I'll have a long list by the time we celebrate Thanksgiving.  Hope yours is, too.  Happy Thanksgiving!

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many--not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."  

                     ~~Charles Dickens~~

Writing Through the Holidays

Yes, you can find a way to write through the holidays!  The question is do you need to or even want to?  If the answer is yes, then it probably will take some pre-planning and the patience of a saint.

'Tis the Season!  But then it quite often is, because holidays come throughout the year.  Not only holidays but things like the beginning of school, summer vacation, bad weather, you name it. This season, from just after Halloween until after the first of the year, is still usually the busiest and manages to claim the most time.

Learning to manage holidays and our writing isn't easy.  Add NaNoWriMo into the equation, and I'm amazed that writers come of out this with their minds still intact.  I applaud those who are involved this year and any year.  It takes a lot of fortitude and old-fashioned stubbornness, coupled with a strong desire and the best of intentions to attempt it.  Anyone who gets involved is a winner!  But writing during the busiest of times really can be done.

While it might be a little late for Thanksgiving planning for those doing NaNo, the next 1+ month promises to be as hectic as always.  It's time to put our heads together and look for solutions and shortcuts that will net us even a few extra minutes.  Here's my list of suggestions.  Feel free to add your own!

• Set aside a specific time to write and just do it.  While it might be hard to wrap your mind around your plot and your characters, after rushing around to buy last minute food or gifts, it can be a relief to simply sit down, take a deep breath, and let your creative mind take over.
• Get family and friends to help by requesting that you not be disturbed during that specified time.  I'll always remember being told early on in my writing "career" that telling your children not to bother you at all, unless there's blood, smoke, or flames, is acceptable.  Bribing always works well, too.
• If you're NaNo-ing and find your time being usurped by traditions that can't be escaped, check out the NaNoWriMo forum.  You probably aren't alone, and others will be happy to share their secrets and encouragement.
• Keep in mind at all times, that we all deserve "Me Time," especially during the holidays.  If your family isn't yet trained to this, it's past time to do it.  If it means a trip to the library for peace and quiet (and some undisturbed writing time) or a visit to Starbucks with whatever-mocho in hand, then go for it.  Just remember that you really do have to go home again, sooner or later.
• If you haven't already cut down on those things that aren't top priority, then stop and take a look at your list of things to do.  Try to trim it to 3/4, then 1/2.  Don't scratch off anything that is an absolute must, but do pare down whatever you can.  Doing so will not only give you more time, but definitely can be a big stressbuster.
• When it comes to food and the Big Meal, Family Style, share the joy by having others bring their favorite dishes, already prepared, if possible.  Many families enjoying getting together to make the meal.  If that's your family tradition, enjoy it!
• If you'll be away from home, take your laptop or a pad of paper.  While the men are snoozing in front of the parade of football games, and the ladies have collapsed in the kitchen, find a quiet spot where you can do ten or fifteen minutes of writing.  More if possible!  But don't let it keep you away from family, and put it aside when your time is up.

Happy Holiday Writing!

A good holiday is one spent among people whose notions of time are vaguer than yours.
John B. Priestly 

Just Another Manic Monday

It wasn't my intention to let a week go by without sharing even a quick hello, but life sometimes gets in the way of the best intentions.

Let's face it, it was a busy week, and it didn't let up over the weekend.  Now that Monday is here again, the feeling of a hamster on a wheel is beginning to set in.  Yes, definitely a little on the manic side already.

That doesn't mean there weren't enjoyable moments to the mania.  Saturday evenings are often spent at my oldest daughter's.  This time of year it's the watching of favorite football teams, followed by Saturday Night Live.  I've been watching SNL since the very beginning and have to say that, overall and so far this season, it's had more good than bad.

Yesterday was my local writers' group meeting, which is always fun and informative.  It's sometimes my only in-person touch with others besides family...except for those occasional visits to the store for groceries or needed items.  I always enjoy spending time with the ladies at WARA.  You can visit the WARA blog, Bits & Bytes: Romance the Writers Way to see why.

But it's Monday again, so back to work.  This week I hope to devote a large block of time to sorting through my office.  I might even have time to move the furniture to make sure to take advantage of warmer spots during winter.  That all remains to be seen, if I don't finish this up and get busy. ☺

So here's the YouTube of the inspiration for today's blog title.  Although I was married with kids when the Bangles were in their prime, I still enjoyed their music.  Hope you do, too!

If you have other things in your life -- family, friends, good productive day work -- these can interact with your writing and the sum will be all the richer.

- David Brin

Another Rainy Monday

While it really isn't raining cats and dogs, I couldn't resist the clipart image on the left.  It made me laugh, and because Monday's aren't generally all that funny, it was too tempting to pass up.  I hope it at least brings a smile to anyone who sees it.

To all those who are NaNo-ing this month, here's hoping you've found the writing groove and getting words on paper more easily.  I chose not to participate, after all, but I'm cheering for those who are.  When there's been time to do some reading and editing, I discovered that the 1675 words I wrote on Nov. 1 weren't half as bad as I'd expected they might be.  This WIP is not a romance, but a YA with paranormal elements.  I started this as a panster with no idea of plot and only a couple of characters.  I have no idea what's going to happen and I'm almost enjoying that.  There's also no date that it needs to be done, so I get to write at my own pace...if I ever figure out what the pace is for this one.

Writing constantly toward publication or under contract can, after long periods of time, become a little tedious or chip away a tiny bit at creativity.  Taking a short break when possible promotes a clearer mind.  Some people are lucky enough to get away physically, others fill their break with reading--often out of their usual genre.  For others creating something different, whether in the same medium (as in writing) or something else (as in drawing) can be refreshing.

Long ago when I wrote for Silhouette Romance, I found I had big chunks of empty time that needed filled.  I like to create, but I can't draw to save my soul, and at some point I became interested in website design and later in graphic design.  While it's still creative, it must use a different part of my brain, because I often find that when I've been working on websites for a while, unable to get to putting words on paper, that's when I yearn to write or have some of the best ideas.

So if you're having a rainy day...or even if you aren't...try doing something different for just one day.  If it works, use it again whenever something else begins to feel stale.  Writing something in a completely different genre you've never tried make open new doors in more ways than one.

Books want to be born: I never make them.  They come to me and insist on being written, and on being such and such.  ~Samuel Butler

It's a Wrap

That Halloween pumpkin isn't toast, it's pie.☺  Yes, it's all over but packing away costumes and making sure the candy is well hidden to avoid tummy aches.  And Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so if you didn't get enough candy while sifting through the trick-or-treat bags on the sly or finishing off anything that might have been left of the pass-out candy, have no fear.  The season of POP (Putting On Pounds) is now in full swing.

It's also the season for spending more time inside.  We had our first good freeze last night, and the trees that have been losing their colorful leaves are definitely looking a lot less leafy now.  Our house got a new roof last week, so we're hoping that by the time the really cold weather sets in, the heating bills will be just a little less than last year.  Green tea and hot cocoa are beginning to be the beverages of choice as the weather cools.  Summer is officially over, and I'm wondering where it went.  Fall will soon slip into winter, a little at a time.  With snow and cold in Denver, CO, we know we'll be getting our share in KS.

Cold weather means more reading time for me, and I've added several new books to my Kindle.  Although reading time isn't always easy to find, I enjoyed reading more than I'd realized over the summer.

• The Help by Kathryn Stockett was a step back in time for me, as I'm sure it was for many who read it or saw the movie.  My growing up years occurred during the civil rights movement, so, as a child, I'd seem similar things and had asked why.
• Hawks Mountain by Elizabeth Sinclair was a joy to read, and not because the author is a friend, but because it was a beautiful story with a twist I didn't expect.  I'm looking forward to the other three Hawks Mtn. books.
• The Year She Fell by Alicia Rasley also had twists and turns.  Each time I thought I had everything figured out, I discovered I didn't.  Great writing, as always, and a story that kept me turning pages.
• Sweetie by Kathryn Magendie was an interesting story of a young girl, who's world is opened up to new wonders and new truths by another girl, who leads a much different life.
• Hate List by Jennifer Brown lived up to my expectations.  The story of the girlfriend of a school shooter gave insight to the troubles today's teens deal with.
• Ascension: A Dark Breed Novel by Sable Grace was a different type of read for me.  I don't tumble into the paranormal, but this one was a super read. Again, the author(s) are friends, but the story hooked me, and I'm anxiously waiting for the next.
• Cybill Disobedience by Cybill Shepherd and Aimee Lee Ball is Cybill's eye-opening autobiography.  My oldest daughter suggested I get it and read it, and I'm glad she did, because it was well worth the time spent reading.

There are a few more, but I'll save them for another time and hope there'll be even more time to enjoy new ones.

With Halloween over for another year, it's time to add another family photo to the mix.  My grandkids are growing so big!  Even Payton, who was mentioned here on my blog several times when she was born with a heart defect, was big enough to really enjoy trick-or-treat this year.

(back, l to r) Alexandria (as Barbie), Scarlett (as a zombie fairy), and Gavin (as a Ninja).

(front, l to r) Payton (as a little devil), Jaxon (as a giraffe)

Hope your Halloween was as happy as theirs!

The wastebasket is a writer's best friend.  ~Isaac Bashevis Singer