Finding Fear

Last weekend my local RWA chapter hosted a weekend of workshops. We had some great speakers - 1st Turning Point came to talk about promotion, Delilah Marvelle showed us plotstorming, Michael Hauge made my head want to explode with his story structure, and Bob Mayer gave his Warrior Writer workshop.

I knew going in that I needed the Warrior Writer workshop. I need to get out of my own way. What this showed me was that I need to get back to writing the way I did when my success was more in line with my expectations. I need for it to be more of a priority, not just for me but for my family.

I had 'the talk' with the mother-in-law and Hubba Bubba. Both are on board with trying to help out more...but neither have any extra time. We'll see what we can do...I wish I could sit Babygirl down and explain that she needs to sleep, for her health and Mommy's sanity.

I've also been looking at my goals. Monthy, yearly, 5 year... I did this once before when things were going better...and they haven't changed. I still want to write stories that entertain, that bring people joy, that are fun and engaging. So what has changed?

I'm not sure. I can point at the whirling dervish that is my surprise baby, the husband's job change that stole my scheduled writing time but gave him job satisfaction he was missing, the move, the health issues of family...but that's not it. I think it's fear.

Fear of what? I'm not sure. Fear is a slippery creature, hard to trap, harder still to pitch back into the murky depths. I've run through the usual suspects...

Rejection...while I don't like it, I've learned to put it in perspective
Public Speaking, Public Scrutiny...OK, it doesn't thrill me, but I can do it...usually by cracking jokes
Failure...maybe. But I can't reach the level of success I'm trying for without, well, trying.
Pain...see, I'm reaching here. I do fear pain. Anyone who was stricken with cluster migraines can understand. But it's not related to writing so...
Change...in some ways we're all creatures of habit. But I hate stagnation. So, even though I will hang on to a pair of 'writing pants' for a decade, I don't think this is my issue.
Success...maybe, maybe not. I want to be in a position where I can give back to my communities, that requires a level of success. Gaining sucess and losing it yet again...that's probably closer.
Commitment...I googled a list of fears and this one came up. We tend to use it in our writing pretty often...but I think that misses the mark too. No, I don't want to be tied down to any one genre, but I haven't seen anyone trying to put a pin in me lately...

I can't find it. Maybe I have a fear of being honest with myself.

Little Things

I love blogs. I have a collection I check far too often. In fact...I really need to update my own blog sidebar. Anywho...when I was blogsurfing today...I saw my own book! I Do Not Want To Wait, I Want The Book Now! is fave of mine because we seem to have similar tastes in books. I see when my favorite authors have a new release from this blog. And then...I'm on it! Made my DAY!

It really is the little things that thrill you :)

Pride & Passion

It's getting close...Pride & Passion has a cover and an excerpt! Go on, check out what happens when you mix Beauty & the Beast, Emma, and Pride & Prejudice...and then turn up the heat!!

Warning: This title contains a hero used to getting what he wants, a heroine determined not to give in to him, some indecent proposals, a fair amount of pride, and enough passion to burn up everyone’s control.

Read An Excerpt Online

Re-Examined!

The Seattle Examiner picked up another of my Pink Heart Society articles - this one, A Muse Me, is about where I find inspiration.

Examined...

My Lather, Rinse, Repeat blog from The Pink Heart Society must have touched a chord with people. My local RWA group used it in our newsletter, and now it's been picked up by the Seattle Examiner!

Borders Blog!

I'm on the Borders's Blog! OK, The Pink Heart Society is on the Border's blog and I'm one of the editors. Still, me and Borders, sitting in a tree...

Busy Girl!

I'm at The Pink Heart Society, talking about how all the good ones are taken...

AND...helping to launch the new RomConInc forum. Check it out!