Happy Mother's Day

Despite being woken three times by a toddler in her recent effort to pretend to be a needy infant again, I would say it was a productive night, since I woke up with a perfect short story. I've been trying to get a short story going for a month. I want to get some work out and my novel is far from finished. I might be one third of the way finished with the first draft. But this morning I woke up with my inspiration.

First, a mother's confession. I get a little extra time to lie in bed on weekend mornings because I have chromecast. As soon as I hear my son run to the bathroom, I open Netflix on my phone and chromecast to the TV. Thomas appears all cheery and ready to greet my kiddos. That way I can snooze until the 30 minute Netflix message appears and I have to hit the play button again. So brilliant it is almost villainous. 

This time, however, I used that time to construct the basic short story elements. I forgot to take my journal to bed, so I needed to get everything settled before I left the room and got surrounded by my fan club. And I'm pretty sure I have what I need to get it going. 

I really wish it was already finished, because it connects to the sacrifice a parent and child can make for each other. It would be a great mother's day short story, even if it is a bit dark.

So here I am, morning hair and tea, ready to start the day. I even got the perfect message from my tea...

Apparently, I'm fascinated with time travel, because it keeps coming up! I'm calling it the Time Stitch, ...and Holy Mother there is jelly on my computer mouse. I love my children. Back to what I was saying... It follows the life of a very unfortunate woman, her battles to be a good person, and her ultimate failure. Sounds bad, but trust me, there is a good side to the story, and I can't wait to share it with you.

Happy Mother's Day to all the women in the world who have ever felt the weight of love in their hearts. We are all mothers to life, the women make the world glow.

Insecure Writers Support Group - May

This month the insecure writers are discussing how they get in the zone.

This is an interesting topic for me. Getting in the zone isn't really something I do. The closest thing to a "zone" for me is my kids being relatively occupied enough, and quiet enough, that I can have a moment to myself. Of course, there is usually a cup of tea involved, and some breathing as well. My laptop is on the dining room table located on one side of the living room in our 800 sq ft apartment, so aside from my angry mom stare and yelling the phrase, "I'm busy," there is no protective barrier for concentration.  Writing isn't a result of a zone I get into, it is what creates my zone!

Let me explain. I work full time at a childcare center, have two children of my own, two cats, and a husband. I'm a terrible housekeeper, but there are some things that just have to be done every day, like dishes and sweeping. As most of you know, taking care of a family is a full time job by itself. I make it more difficult on myself because I'm old fashioned about a lot of things. I don't like disposables, so no paper napkins or towels, and no paper plates. We eat home cooked meals everyday, and boxed meals don't count. Yes I make my kids yogurt, scrambled eggs, and toast every morning before we leave the house at 6:40. Most of our food is prepared from whole ingredients. Even if the kids do get a frozen corn dog for dinner, I still have to make something for myself. So basically, no corners are being cut in that department. I don't exactly have free time. That's the simple truth. I'm at work, I'm cooking or cleaning, I'm caring for the kids, or trying to squeeze in some quality time with the man who lives in my house (after all it is the only love language we have in common). None of this is a complaint, it is just a reality. 

So, I don't create a zone for writing, the writing creates the zone for me. It is my expression. When I write,

Naughty Characters

Well they have done it again. Those naughty characters. I spent the week doing a very rough outline of what I wanted to happen in chapters 9-11. But they just have a mind of their own! It is like raising several more children. You think you know them well, and you have an idea of what they will do next and then they off and travel to a different planet, or fall in love with someone completely different. The ones you thought would be inflexible are being so open minded and the adventurous ones sometimes just want to play it safe. 

I know what you are thinking. No, I have not lost my mind. In fact, it is quite the opposite. I have found it! In case you haven't seen this article floating around the last couple of weeks, take a peek. The Majority of Authors 'Hear' their Characters Speak, finds Study.

The good news is, I am nearly done with chapter 11 and the things I planned out haven't even happened yet. I like this. It means I have more to give my future readers than I ever knew. Maybe it was the change of scenery at my new desk this weekend...

Coming later this week:  My first Insecure Writers Support Group blog entry. I will be participating in their monthly blog hop and talking about the insecurities of being a writer. Get a glimpse into the life of other writers by visiting the badge I include in the post on Wednesday. It is a great way to find new authors you might enjoy. This week we will be talking about getting in the zone.

Beltane Camping with Hermes

Rain, rain, torrents of rain

    trickster tricking, soaking tents through,

    forgot extra shirts, everything floating,

    all is dripping, pan is burning,

    nothing's cooking, people arriving,

    allergies speaking - coconuts, bananas...

    Plans changing, gods laughing,

    crows waiting, cranes flying,

    fire's dying.

More oil, more wind, more straw,

    breath of fire, blow and glow,

    children running, mothers eating,

    clouds hanging, spirits calling,

The May Knot, we may not,

    we did.