WINDY WITH A CHANCE OF CUPCAKES

A writer's journey isn't easy. That's no secret.
I'm no exception to the rule. Here are some words of wisdom for those times when it seems really hard...

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” ~Henry Ford

My writer skies have been extremely windy lately. (I think I might even have 2nd degree windburn.) But I knew it would be a rough ride. I just have to buckle in and suck it up. I have to keep believing that one day, soon, my plane will take off.

Even after it does, it's inevitable that there will be turbulence. It's part of the journey. (I actually kind of enjoy turbulence--it's like being on a roller coaster in the sky.)

So until takeoff, I will try to appreciate the gusty breezes whipping against me. I'll keep pushing the hair from my face so I can try to enjoy the view of where I am (because it will look very different when I get where I'm going) and I'll ask the flight attendants to stop bring me cupcakes. (When did they start serving cupcakes on flights anyway? What happened to peanuts?)

*Those of you who are close with me will get the cupcake joke. To the rest of you, I'll explain in a future post.*

May your skies be perfect for whatever leg of the journey you are on. Oh, and remember that in case of a loss in cabin pressure to put on your oxygen mask before assisting others, note any and all emergency exits, and have a safe flight.

WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE

They say to write what you love.
Good thing I love lots of stuff, because I want to write forever.
My first manuscript involves stars, eternal love, the desert, superpowers, astrology, and reincarnation.

My second includes merfolk, impossible love, the ocean, superpowers, sunsets, and mythology.(Pic my brother took while at Tokyo DisneySea last week.
Do you want to open the door as bad as I do? )

Do I really love merfolk? Damn skippy. Here's some proof.
(Apologies to those who saw these photos in one of my December posts.)

(Me and the fabulous Carolina Valdez-Miller when she came to visit me a couple months ago.)

(Me around age 22, trying to impersonate Ariel on a cruise.
No comments on the flame pants. Please and thank you.)

Yeah, I know, who didn't love The Little Mermaid? That proves nothing. Need more hardcore proof? Okay, here you go...
(Me at age 2, showing off my new SeaWees.)

Mmm, hmm. You can't fake passion at age two. That's authentic love for mermaids. Don't ever accuse me of not writing about something I love. You will find pieces of my heart and soul in every manuscript I write. That's why I do it. It's the only way of writing I know. I write because I love it. I write what I love--even the made up stuff.
I suggest all writers do the same.

Do you write what you love? What are some of your passions?

BACK TO BASICS

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”
^{- Confucius}

Right on, Confucius.
Lately, I haven't been reading enough.
Eh, let's be honest, I've barely been reading at all.
Like, two novels in one month. That's just pitiful.
Great writers read a lot--A LOT. Because of that theory, I worry any small level of greatness I might have achieved could be slowly slipping away.

"If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write."
~ Stephen King

I hear ya, Stevie.
I have a pile of unread books given to me from beloved friends like Sara McClung, Carolina Valdez-Miller, and Megan Rebekah. (Thanks girls!) It's not like I don't have plenty of accessible reading material. I have so many new novels I'm practically drowning in them. (Not a bad way to go if you ask me.)

"One must be drenched in words, literally soaked in them, to have the right ones form themselves into the proper pattern at the right moment." ~ Hart Crane

Amen, Hart.
So, I am pledging to do some serious reading in the next few weeks. All kinds of stuff: my beloved YA paranormals, some classics, a few contemporaries, maybe even a steamy romance or two. I will be a better writer because of it. Plus, I love to read, so why haven't I been doing it? No more excuses. Let the avalanche of story devouring begin.

What are you reading? What's your favorite story to reread? Have you been slacking like me, or have you been in devour mode?