Thank you to all that reach out

Have you ever thought about how much we all need each other?

Oh, we spend a Lot of time denying it, rejecting it, decrying it, but I don’t think we are meant to be alone all the time. Yes, I think we all need to take time for self-reflection, for musings, to do things that make us who we are. But there is still the underlying need to have a hug, at least here and there, verbally as well as physically. Is there anyone that doesn’t need to hear they are doing good, are needed, are appreciated? I’ve found so often that what we might think is not always the case. Watching a stranger stride along confident and together-looking, and following my impulse to tell her how nice she looks, even though feeling obviously she already knows that already. And probably gets told that a lot. And having them turn and about break into tears in a public place because she needed to hear something good so badly. Don’t be afraid to follow your intuition, your impulse, as long as it’s not going to be detrimental or harmful to you or to someone else, you never know what is going on in someone else’s life that they need to hear a cheering word of some kind. Or just have a smile from someone.

What is the worst that can happen? They think you a fool? Like That hasn’t happened before. ;)

And might happen again. You might be rebuffed when you reach out. Don’t let that stop you. Their loss, not yours. Do not let it be yours. Do not let it become your loss.

Reach out to someone, even if it’s just a smile. Who knows when the reverse will come about and there will be someone there to reach out to you when you really need it.

And if you believe in something or someone, tell them. I do believe in myself. Mostly. Most of the time. But sometimes it is a constant watch to keep the demons of doubt at bay, to keep them from slavering all over me like some overeager dog dripping icky saliva all over the place.

And if you believe in an organization, tell them, and do more than tell, reach out a hand. You might not be able to have money in that hand to give them but that hand can do something. Whether you are a professional or an amateur dabbler at something, you do have something to offer. That empty hand can be filled with an envelope to stuff, a stamp to put on, or a myriad other things that will help, and in whatever time can be given. Even if you only have a few minutes here and there that might help with research, or a phone call, or a contact.

We are all so much more talented than we realize. So much more blessed than we realize. So much more interconnected than we realize.

I realize I owe a lot of who I am as a writer to James River Writers. To all the people involved in it. Being able to connect with other people, ones that don’t look at you like you are an alien and speaking some kind of language they don’t understand, and don’t want to understand, is immeasurable in itself. But also being able to meet and talk with such wonderful writers, that are such wonderful people. From the wonderful people that are brought into Writing Shows and Conferences, Adriana Trigiani, Diane Mott Davidson, Kirk Ellis at the recent Conference, to Tiffany Trent, Jeff Sypeck, Maggie Stiefvater at recent Writing Shows, to the local writers that show up to mingle around at Writers Wednesdays, Emyl Jenkins, Lee Gimpel, David Robbins, and all the fledging writers in the same working process that I am.

To all that offer me a kind smile and a kind word, Thank you.

Yikes, December Already!!!

I can't believe it's December already! Yikes! And not only December but already barrelling into December's first week. Just sliding right on in, even without any of the slippery white stuff of snow. Which in Richmond, Virginia, doesn't usually come around until January. Which is really good for those of us that have to travel for the holidays. Especially those of us that are already frazzled when it comes around to time to travel. Is there anyone out there that isn't frazzled this time of year?? How do you do it?

Ah well, I keep trying to find the balance of the decorating, the gift shopping, baking, cooking, etc..etc... with the real reason of the season. Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.
And really taking the time to feel that.
May all of you find it also.
And if I have a little more difficulty finding that balance this year maybe I should go ahead and wish everyone a blessed holiday season and the happiest of NewYears!

Happy Thanksgiving to all

May we all have a moment to remember all we have to be thankful for.
No matter how big, no matter how small, the fact that we are thankful unleashes more for us to be thankful for.

Ironically, Thanksgiving Day often has the least amount of time available for us to acknowledge, really acknowledge that we are thankful, and have so much to be thankful for.

May we all have much to be thankful for.

A peaceful heart, answers for our questions, love and support when we need it.

May the beginning of this holiday season find us all with much to be thankful for.
And may we find time to appreciate and be thankful for everything we are blessed with. Even more than and beyond this Thanksgiving Day.

NaNo Lobotomy

Does NaNo cause lobotomies?

I mean really! Yes I understand that the real lobotomies NaNo can cause come from whacking your head too many times on your keyboard.

But I’m beginning to think NaNo can sure cause mental lobotomies! Or excuse me I am sure thinking it can. No contractions for NaNo after all.

But it sure does seem to make your brain go really dead at times.

Or maybe that’s just mine. Pthhhhhtttt. Contraction again. The bane of my NaNo.

Not to mention all the brain leakage that’s going on. Maybe that was the warning signs!!! OH NO!!!

Snow and Leaves!

It’s been snowing today! Can you believe it? Before Thanksgiving! In Richmond, Virginia.
Snowflakes were just lazily drifting down like crazy outside my window. Thank God it wasn’t inside! Then there’d Really be a problem.
But even outside it was disconcerting, especially when the wind was blowing. Snowflakes were all mixed up in with all the leaves blowing around.
At least the snowflakes weren’t as big as the leaves! And didn’t stick as much.
I’m not ready for all the cold and snow. I feel like I’ve not even had an autumn yet! You know, the warm days followed by cool nights. Or even sunny brisk days that still make a jacket enough to wear for warmth.
I feel cheated!
As I do by all the non-NaNo that I’ve not managed to get ahead on.
Ah well, soldiering on. Which according to all the advice we get at the Writing Shows and James River Writers Conferences is what a lot of this writing life is all about anyway.
Does anyone hear a tune being whistled?

Bemused at Time Passing

Where does all the time go? I turn around and it's been forever since I've posted anything. What is with all that?! Sure doesn't seem that long, that's for sure!
I'm certainly bemused by that!
Bemused Writer sitting bemused by life at the moment. All the unexpected things that come at you.

According to definition I found Bemused is 1) to make confused : Puzzle, Bewilder 2) to occupy the attention of : Distract, Absorb.

Which all apply right now. I’m Bewildered that I am a writer to begin with, how did I come to find myself in this place? Sometimes I’m bewildered by all the wonderful writers I know and have come in contact with. Which I do know is because of James River Writers in Richmond, Virginia.
And 2) I am distracted by all those musings etc.. from working on my books.

Okay, so part of that is maybe partly excuse. Writing is Really hard work! Or at least it is for me! As one of my writing group members, Dragon Queen, and I were talking, it’s like having brilliant flashes of a few brilliant words strewn with a few-to-bunch of words of mediocrity. Not what I’m aiming for! But I’m trying to learn to live with some of it just to get the story out of my head onto the paper [or screen, since my husband has pushed me from the writing on paper to the writing on computer. For the most part.] As everyone keeps saying, especially all those currently in the mid-throes of NaNo writing right now, you can’t edit a blank page. Which if you don’t know about NaNo and all that, do check it out. November is NaNo month, after all.

Sigh.

Is writing easy for Anyone?

And do I want to know? Really want to know?

Well, I Think I’d like to know what they do that makes it easier for them to write.

If there is such an answer.

I’ll have to see if anyone’s ever done a poll of writers and asked them that – Is writing easy or hard for them?

But I guess I should wait to do that until I get back to the task of writing myself.

Since I really do want to get the book I’m currently working on done so I can get back to some of the other books I have waiting on the back burner ready to simmer forth.

So for this November NaNo time, or just any writer in the midst of writing, I wish you Happy Writing!
Or at least an easier time, if like me you find it really hard work.

And if you have ideas for what makes it easier for you Please Post!!!

Loss and Knowing authors?

What is it about books and authors that bring us in and make us feel we know a person, and know them well enough to be sad at their passing?

What is the connection that doesn’t seem to transcend into other mediums as well? At least not for me. I can enjoy a great piece of art or sculpture, without ever feeling the tinge of sadness that the originator is no longer around to produce more.

But with authors and books it is different. From Robert Jordan’s passing earlier this year with his to-be-completed final novel left behind, to the recent passing of Tony Hillerman, author of the southwest Indian mysteries with the characters Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn.
Whether I have read the person’s work or not there always seems to be a loss in the world somehow.
That the world is somehow an emptier place without them.
A world a little less rich.
A little less varied.
A little less interesting.

Maybe it’s not knowing the author so much as the characters?

And feeling their loss?

There is only so much time to read and so many books to read nowdays, and there is a sense of loss when you pick up a book, especially if you really like the book and the characters, of knowing there won’t be anymore. No new frontiers and ages for the characters to transcend, no new growth or possible changes for the author to come into, and spread on to us. As a writer I mourn that possibility. As a reader I mourn.