Another Year Gone...

It's that day again.

The anniversary of my birth.

Two years ago, when I turned 30, I debuted a mission statement for my 30's. 

It was: Digging Deeper!

(My friends even through me a Digging Deeper birthday party, including a shovel to dig with.)

Essentially, it means that I plan to spend more time doing things thoroughly, and less time trying to be perfect at everything. Two years in and I think I'm coming up wanting. It's hard to kick the habit of overachieving. Or is it overcomplicating? Overwhelming? Overthinking? 

I think I'm doing okay though. I've cut out some of the things that weren't a major part of my life. True, I've added a few new things in too, but we won't go there...

Life isn't perfect, but I love it anyway. I don't mind being 32. I hope I can say that when I turn 42, 52 and beyond. Each day, each year brings new challenges. It also brings new blessings, and new opportunities.

Life goes on.

"The trick is growing up without growing old"

-Casey Stengel

Most Embarrassing Moment...

I'm fortunate enough to have the kind of memory that...blocks things. It must be a self preservation tactic. Due to my "condition", I've blocked a lot of the embarrassing things I've done in my life. I think it falls close to the category of how mothers forget the misery of childbirth, when contemplating having another baby. If our minds didn't work that way, there would be A LOT of one child families out there.

When I was younger, probably Junior High and High School age, one of the most popular questions to ask people was "What is your most embarrassing moment?" Maybe because it acts as an ice-breaker. Maybe because teenagers spend their time dwelling on their own embarrassing moments, and like to feel secure in knowing theirs aren't as bad as yours. I'm not sure. But I don't think I've had anyone ask me that question for at least a decade.

The reason I remember the question so well is because I never had an embarrassing moment to share. (At the time, I didn't know I had the "block that from my memory" condition.) In searching my memory, I always came up empty. Not that I never got embarrassed. I just never felt like they were funny enough moments to qualify for "most embarrassing".

Things like trying to pull open a door when the sign right in front of me said "Push". It's funny, but it wouldn't win any awards. For a while, it was the best I could do.

Until...This happened:

While waiting in line at Lagoon Amusement Park, my teenage friends and I began "flirting" (translation: acting like ridiculous, giggling girls who thought the world revolved around us and whether or not the boys thought we were cute...)

Where was I? Oh, yeah, we were flirting with the boys in front of us in line. It was for the Sky Tram thing - the one that takes you from one end of the park to the other. As we got to the front of the line, I had my back turned to the boys (probably asking a friend something stupid like, "is he looking at me?"), when suddenly that "friend" told me to hurry up, it was my turn and I was going to miss the chair.

Without thinking, I turned around and stepped onto the spot right as the chair rounded the corner. About a second later I saw a boy, sitting in the chair next to me with a puzzled look on his face. Then I heard the giggling from behind me, and I knew what had happened.

I'd been set up. And I now had to ride the entire length of the park with the startled, albeit cute, stranger.

That story became my saving grace at those times when the question was asked: "What is your most embarrassing moment?"

But here's the thing:
I'm 99% sure it never happened.

I actually think I made up the whole story as a teenager, so I'd have something to tell, and then over the years of retelling it, I convinced myself it really happened.

Awkward!

I've been doubting the truth of that "embarrassing moment" for a few years now. So when I read this quote a few weeks ago, it really made me laugh:

"There are lots of people who mistake their 

imagination for their memory."

-Josh Billings

I think I have a new most embarrassing moment. It just might be this blog post.

All Moved In

I moved into a new home last weekend. Because I was in the middle of a move, I've been offline for a few days. Before that I was packing. It's been busy. What can I say, Moving is "Sometimes Hard, But Oh-So Worth It!"

I'm in the Syracuse Utah area now (about 30 miles north of where I was before). I have a lot to learn about the area.

It will come with time. And practice.

Kind of like writing.

Lillian Hellman says it well,

"Nothing you write, if you hope to be good, will ever come out as you first hoped."


Practice, Practice, Practice!

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Today's writing quote was taken from The Write Planner, my day planner designed for writers. To learn more about The Write Planner, click here

Love of Learning

I love to learn new things. So bad, in fact, that I take too many new things on and cannot stay focused on any of them long enough to actually learn something. It's a problem I've always had, but never really been able to change.

I love to learn new things!

(To be perfectly clear, I consider this different from loving change. That, I'm not so good at. Like when your computer system gets upgraded and you have no idea how to do the same thing you were good at yesterday.)

But, back to learning...

Things I want to learn:

• Great storytelling
• Public speaking
• Will power (when it comes to food)
• Spanish
• Sign language
• Cake decorating (thanks to you - Laura!)
• First aide
• How to fast forward through potty training
• Patience (though I am NOT praying for this, as I do not want to learn it that way!)
• Better time management (all my friends think I'm an expert at this. I have them all fooled!)

That's to name a few. I'd bore you if I continued.

It's a pretty good list. I want to do those things. But how?

The best way would probably be to pick one at a time and focus. Focus. FOCUS!!!

Or  you could go with this method:

"The best way to become acquainted with a subject is to write a book about it."

-Benjamin Disaeli

What do you want to learn?

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Today's writing quote was taken from The Write Planner, my day planner designed for writers. To learn more about The Write Planner, click here

Seamless Storytelling

My dad is a storyteller. He can entertain with his words and make otherwise average stories funny. When I listen to him tell a story, my mind does not drift away to my To-do list or what I'm going to eat next.  Okay, sometimes I still think about food (chocolate), but you know what I mean.

He also likes to tell jokes. Only he tells them as stories, and you never know until he's done if he's building up to a story ending or a punch line. Most of the time it's a punch line.

Me, on the other hand? I'm not so good with the jokes. Never have been. Usually I can't keep a straight face. They usually go something like this:

"Wanna hear a joke? (no subtlety there!) Okay, there were three guys that walked into a bar. Or was is two guys and a girl? Um, I can't remember. Anyway, three people walk into a bar. I don't think it matters if they're guys or girls. One says to another... Oh, I can't remember how he said it. Maybe the girl said something first. Crap! I can't remember. But it was funny! You'll just have to trust me."

I know.  Lame.

Lucky for me, I'm the writing kind of storyteller, not the sit-around-the-table-chatting kind of storyteller. I can revise and change my story until it actually makes sense. At least that's the idea. I haven't actually got there yet...  :)

And now for my weekly writing quote:

"Storytelling reveals meaning without committing the error of defining it."

-Hannah Arendt

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Today's writing quote was taken from The Write Planner, my day planner designed for writers. To learn more about The Write Planner, click here

The Thief of Time

I was going to write this post last night.

Then, I was going to write it first thing this morning.

It's now just after lunch, and I'm finally getting around to it.

Where does all the time go?

The answer to that question leads us to this week's writing quote:

"Procrastination is the thief of time."

- Joseph Heller

Oh, that's it. Procrastination took my time away. The thief!

I never used to be good at procrastination, but I'm learning!

And I hate it.

I hate how I feel when it's the night before a big event, and I'm scrambling.

I hate the sleepless nights, or even worse - the nightmares of being unprepared if I do actually manage to sleep.

Each time I promise myself that I'll be more on top of it next time.

Like I always used to be.

What happened to me?

Kids?

Church service?

Work?

Housework?

Friends?

Television?

Books?

General laziness?

Writing?

Okay, so it's probably all of the above. Plus a few other things.  Like trying to find a picture for this:

Today's writing quote was taken from The Write Planner, my day planner designed for writers. To learn more about The Write Planner, click here

The Best Fruit

This week's writing quote is,

"The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit."

- Moliere

Okay, so you can really apply that to any aspect of your life. But I find particular comfort in applying it to my writing. Because let me tell you - it is extremely slow growing!

My first book was easy. I wrote most of it in a three month block. It was exciting to see it all show up on the screen. It was a learning experience. It was Terrible!

Really. But it's okay.

I moved on to my second book. The idea was fun. I dove right in. And nearly drowned in the tide.

It proved to hold many more challenges than the first book I wrote.

Historical fiction's kind of like that.

I loved doing the research, but it was still hard to get myself to do it.

Then I put it aside so I could focus on my writing planners.

Now I'm in limbo. I think the slowest thing to develop in my writing is actually deciding what genre to write! I feel like that just comes naturally to most writers. But I'm really struggling with it. The more I read, and the more I learn about what I actually like, the more I wonder.

I'm not giving up on my current historical fiction, but it may take a vacation on my bookshelf while I explore a new idea I've got, in a new genre.

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Today's writing quote was taken from The Write Planner, my day planner designed for writers. To learn more about The Write Planner, click here

I Can Relate...Sometimes!

This week's writing quote is:

"I have made this [letter] longer, because I have not had the time to make it shorter."

- Blaise Pascal

Sometimes it's so easy to get carried away with our writing, that we've written three chapters that have nothing to do with the plot. Sometimes our characters take a detour, and we want to see where it leads so we follow, only to get lost down a dead-end street.

But that's okay. That's what drafting is for. We experiment. We explore.

Eventually we have to go back. Edit. Revise. Thus begins the process of shortening. Taking out all the unnecessary stuff. Oh yeah, and adding those most important details that somehow we missed! It takes time. But the end result is so much better.

Thank goodness we have computers. Thank goodness we're not dealing with typewriters or worse, hand writing. (Although I know a few writers who still prefer that method!)

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If you (or anyone you know) could benefit from a day planner that's geared toward writers, my sale price is still available for The Write Planner. Right now it's only $12, which come to $1 per month!! Check out my website for more details.

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Today's writing quote was taken from The Write Planner, a day planner designed for writers. To learn more about The Write Planner, click here

The Parts To Leave Out

This week's writing quote is:

"I try to leave out the parts that people skip."
- Elmore Leonard

Such simple words. Well Duh! Right? But most of us are guilty of skipping over passages, even when we really love the book. As a writer, that's one of my biggest fears. Will I bore the reader? Will they skip this part?

So ask yourself: Is this really necessary? Does it move the plot along? Does it create conflict? Does it develop the character? Would the reader miss anything if you took it out?

No?

Then get rid of it!

(Is anyone still reading this post?)

Have I bored you yet?

Well, if you're still with me, go check out my website. I've got a special offer for The Write Planner going on now.

For the next two weeks they are on sale for just $12. 


That's only $1 per month to keep you focused on your writing!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Today's writing quote was taken from The Write Planner, a day planner designed for writers. To learn more about The Write Planner, click here.

Writing Is An Adventure

This week's writing quote is:

"Writing is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public."

- Winston Churchill

This writing quote was taken from The Write Planner, a day planner designed for writers. To learn more about The Write Planner, click here.

A Time To Write

This week's Writing Quote:

"Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, 

I don't feel I should be doing something else."

- Gloria Steinem

Is that how you feel about writing?

For me: Not usually.

I always feel like I should be doing something else. Even when I'm working on the very thing I should be doing. There is just so much to do!

Unfortunately, writing usually falls pretty far down on the priority list. I hope to change that soon. (You know - New Years Resolutions and all....)  ;)

But one thing is for sure. When I do actually write, I feel successful. Even if I've only written garbage, I wrote!

I love the feeling of creation that comes with writing. I love the sense of accomplishment.

I love writing!  So why don't I do it more often?


This writing quote was taken from The Write Planner, a day planner designed for writers. To learn more about The Write Planner, click here.

Talent or Guts?

Today's Quote of the Week is:

"Talent is helpful in writing, 

but guts are absolutely necessary."

- Jessamyn West

So many of us are held back by our own feelings of inadequacy. We think, "We're not smart enough. We're not good enough. We're not talented enough." And we may not be. Yet.

But that's not all that matters!

Sure, it's helpful.

But having guts in this business is a necessity. It's a tough world. To quote Sarah M. Eden (from my interview on her blog last Friday) "I decided to become a writer because ninja was just too easy."


First, you have to have guts to put your thoughts on paper. Next, it takes guts to let anyone actually read what you've written. Then when you're ready, you have to face the world of rejection from agents, editors, and publishers. And after all that, when you've finally made it in the writing world, when you finally have that New York Times' Bestselling Novel, you have to face the criticism of your beloved readers. Because lets face it, not everyone will love your book. And that's okay. More people will love it!

So go ahead. Put yourself out there. Prepare to be rejected. It takes guts.

Do you have guts?

This writing quote was taken from The Write Planner, a day planner designed for writers. To learn more about The Write Planner, click here.

Quote of the Week

Today's writing quote of the week is:

"A writer is someone who can make a riddle out of an answer."

- Karl Kraus

Some writers know how their book will end before they even write the beginning. Some figure it out as they go. But one thing is for sure. It's not nearly as exciting to know that "Sally" did it, if we don't get to read the how, why and when. The riddle is the good part. The answer is just the perk at the end.

I just finished re-reading The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas. This is a great example of making a riddle out of an answer. We know very early that Edmond Dantes was wrongly imprisoned, and that he wants vengeance. But watching the story unfold and discovering his complicated means of achieving that vengeance is the exciting part.

I know how my work in progress will end, but I'm still not sure how the middle of the story will go. I get to discover it as I go. Hopefully sooner than later!

This writing quote was taken from The Write Planner, a day planner designed for writers. Learn more about The Write Planner here.

Be curious!

My writerly wisdom today comes from the novel Far World - Water Keep, by J. Scott Savage.

"They who are too afraid to ask questions,

will remain forever ignorant."

So true, so true. Whether you're a writer, or just trying to learn something new, don't be afraid to ask questions. It's how we learn. Your question may help someone else learn too. It's all a part of the process.

And I quote...

Listen up people! I just got an email that I was quoted in the Mormon Times. Can I say...Way Cool!

Until now, the only person who ever quoted me (that I know of, at least) was my three year old daughter. And trust me, that isn't always a good thing.

Check it out here!

(Thanks Tamara, for letting me know!)

Don't Just Talk...

One of my new favorite quotes says,

"Don't just talk,

Say Something."

What wonderful words. If only everyone would apply it into their lives. There would be a whole lot less talking, and maybe a little more listening.

What if we apply it to writing? It would read,

"Don't just write,

Write Something."

I recently participated in a Write-a-thon, and spent 4 hours typing away at the keyboard. I was excited to see my word count at the end of the 4 hour block, but have since realized that I'm not going to be keeping much of what I wrote. I thought I had planned for what I'd be writing, but the story took a turn, and ended up at a dead end.

Now I've got to get back in and re-write. Instead of just writing whatever comes to mind, this time I hope to actually write something.

Optimistic Mondays – One Person

I've read a lot of blog posts lately about people feeling small and insignificant, especially when compared to the achievements of others around them.

As I've read these posts, I've nodded my head in agreement. I have those feelings too.

But with each of these posts, there is usually an uplifting message of how they overcame these feelings of inadequacy. Or at least how they are trying to.

With so many things vying for our attention, it's hard not to let it overwhelm us.

I am just one person. How can I fit it all in?

One day at a time. Sometimes it's one hour or one minute at a time.

Rather than feeling like I'm small and insignificant, I like to relate the following quote:

"To the world you might be one person,

but to one person you might be the world"

There are countless people out there who mean the world to me. Look around you. I'll bet you have that impact on more people than you realize. And one of them just might be me.

Optimistic Mondays – Be Yourself

It's Monday, and I'm running low on creativity (and time), so this post will be short. I recently read a quote that my grandma posted on facebook, and it really it me hard.

"Be a first rate version of yourself,

not a second rate version of someone else."

- Judy Garland

They are words I need to remember everyday. It's hard not to want what others have. It can range from anything as simple as wanting someone else's hair style, to wishing for their life. I look at other more established writers, and it's hard not to want to be in their shoes. But I also know that I need to make the journey myself, so I can appreciate it when I get there.

Heavenly Father did not make us the way we are by accident. We are all His creations, each one made with care and love. When we put ourselves down, we are putting our Creator down.

We all need to stand up and be proud of who we are. There may always be room for improvement, but don't ever forget who the real you is.

Happy Monday!