My Brain Hurts!

Actually, it doesn't hurt - it feels like an electrified ball of barbed wire. How's that for an image?

I'm not in pain, but I've been dissecting my WIP so much, twisting bits here and there, that I'm completely lost. I have no idea what I'm doing with my story right now.

Quite frankly, I'm in a moderate state of panic.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Do you have any advice for me?

I've not been able to write a word, and I can't see my way clear.

Aaaarrrggghhhh....

Gotta Remember My Mantra!

Hi everybody. It's been one wild week -- and not because I've been having a great writing week. In fact, I haven't done much of anything, writing wise.

I've been dealing with several financial crises, most minor, but added together became a bit more problematic. To deal with them, by the grace of God, I've been able to pick up a few more tutoring students. Paying the rent today, in full, was nothing short of a small miracle. My pantry is stocked well enough to get us through next week until I bring in some more cash. And, I've ended up in the black, even though it's by a very small amount.

Whew!

Kaylee was right - everything really is shiny, and I shouldn't fret.

I've been staying away from the grocery store, and all the processed food. Snacking has been on clementines, before they go out of season again. I love those! No chips!

Okay, now that I've taken care of urgent stuff, time to get back to the creative stuff. See y'all Wednesday!

Happy writing...

Not a Good Week

Hi all,

I've not had a good week this week. I didn't make the check-in on Wednesday because I was at the emergency room with my roommate. He hurt his back really bad. They sent him home with drugs, but I've been pretty much at his beck and call since then.

My only goal this go-round was to get this book organized. I'm using Story Engineering for that purpose, but it's taking me a bit of time to work through it all. I don't feel like I'm getting anything accomplished, even though technically I know I am. I'm just not seeing it.

Basically, it's been a week of the blahs. Anyone who checks out my emotional eating blog will get a glimpse of how I dealt (or didn't!) with that.

Here's looking forward to a better week next week.

Lara

Woo Hoo!

Hi everyone! Hope everything's going well.

YES! I did it. I got the A in Calculus!!! Never thought I'd see the day. I decided I'm not taking Calculus II until the spring semester - I've got to brush up on my Trigonometry first.

I was bad this week with the writing. I haven't done as much organizing and planning as I should. I've been a little depressed because of my financial situation, and it's been overtaking my brain. I hope to fight my way through it and find my equilibrium. I have to keep remembering - God wouldn't give me anything that I'm not able to handle. Or, for the more metaphysically inclined, I wouldn't create this for myself without a reason.

Ok, so squaring my shoulders and preparing to move on.

I did come up with a new idea this morning. Working title called "The Comely Wench" and it's in praise of well-fleshed women and the men who love them. I wrote down all the data that I dreamed, and then put it in my future works file.

I've got to get this current piece done!

See you all on Wednesday. Happy writing!

Lara

Death, Again

It's been a terrible week. I've only done a couple of pages - not even one scene.

I've been taking care of my dog, Jordan, who finally had to be put to sleep yesterday. He was in third stage kidney failure, and the vet only gave him a couple of months at best. And that didn't include the other things that had begun to happen to him.

I had to give him mercy.

It's done a lot to me, though. Maybe by tomorrow I'll feel like writing. Today and yesterday, I just feel blah.

Here's hoping.

Free Therapy

Y'know, writing is therapy you don't have to pay for. And, if you spill your guts, it may even pay you.

Sounds like a good deal, right? (No pun intended.)

All we have to do is bleed copiously for the amusement of the reading public. That takes bravery, honesty, and luck. But not the kind of luck you think.

We're really lucky to be living in the midst of all these crises going on right now. Readers want to get involved with characters they can identify with, and who they can see fighting against tough odds. And winning. That helps them feel like winners, too.

Ultimately, we're charged with a sacred trust - tell a good story that people can believe in. It's awe-inspiring and exciting, all at the same time.

On a personal note, I've been going through a lot of crap lately. And I can't resent it. I can only be thankful because it provides such rich fodder for fiction. That's a true gift.

I spent several hours with a writing friend of mine yesterday, and I was able to make my pages from Wednesday to today. Whew! I'm still working on the catch-up, though.

I slipped into editor mode and cut some things that I didn't feel comfortable with. I thought some scenes/chapters slowed things down. I prefer to jump into the middle of things, so that's what I went back to doing. I feel better about the pacing, but it's gonna take a helluva rethink for some other pieces.

So, back to the salt mines!

See everyone on Wednesday...