Care Giving and the Writer's Life

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TIME is precious. Days pass in the blink of an eye and suddenly you realize the days have turned into months.

Finding time to write becomes last on your list of priorities. However, if writing brings you joy, and if you're reading this blogpost, I suspect it does, then we must write.

I have been in this place. I'd missed my critique group meetings. When I did manage to attend, I had nothing to share. My wonderfully supportive members understood, but encouraged me to write. They know how much writing means to me.

Some caregivers may find that writing down their feelings is cathartic. If this helps to relieve stress or heartache, please do it. 

For me, writing is a wonderful form of escapism. Losing myself in a world of silly, simple, and happy stories helps me to let go of the feelings that tug on my heart throughout the day. As I get lost in my make believe world, I feel my mood lift and my shoulders relax.

Now, I'm getting back into the groove. I take a little time at night, when the day is done to write. I print out my short stories and do some edits while sitting in the doctor's waiting room. Any time I can sneak in a bit of writing or spend time mentally creating, I take it. And it's happening! I've submitted a short story to Chicken Soup for the Soul and I've made the short list. I'm hoping to get the final notice any day now.

I'm finishing the final edits on a little children's story and a YA entry for a contest. Wish me Luck! 🤞

As an added bonus, I'm sharing my stories with my ill Dad and he's loving it!

Big Hugs to all of the caregivers out there 😍

Keep Writing, Keep Smiling, and Keep Submitting

 

 

Hung in there and found NANOWRIMO SUCCESS!

 

National Novel Writing Month is held every November. Participants do their best to write a 50,000 word novel draft in 30 days, throughout the month of November.

People from all over the world participate. I marvel at the thought of thousands and thousands of creatives writing at the same time. Published and unpublished authors creating and hopefully one day sharing their stories with the world. It's amazing.

Once registered, you have the opportunity to connect with other writers to make friends and cheer each other on to the finish. This event includes a Young Writers Program. These are only a few of the fun opportunities offered, but the encouragement throughout the journey including earning colorful badges as you reach milestones, online and in person write-ins, helpful and informational craft articles, etc. keep writers engaged. However, I was busy trying to stay on track and didn't take advantage of many of these opportunities. I did however make two lovely writing friends.

I must admit that if you miss even one day of writing or hit a writers block, it is very difficult to make the time up. But it can be done! Regardless of whether a participant reaches the 50,000 word count by November 30th, participation is a huge accomplishment. You may think it is easy for me to make that comment because I "made" the word count. Yes, this year I did. However, this is my third attempt. I was successful reaching the goal in my first try. I did not meet the goal in my second attempt. I didn't participate for a few years, but 2023, I met the goal. My 50,000 words are a rough, rough, and did I say, rough Draft? The trick to making the word count in 30 days, is to do absolutely no editing. It's imperative to turn off your inner editor during the 30 day challenge. If you are typing and you know you just made a spelling error, don't correct it, just keep typing. If you type a paragraph and feel it's not good and you will absolutely be chopping it, do not go back and delete it or try to correct it. Just keep going. If a scene idea pops into your head but it belongs in the middle of your story and you're only a quarter of the way in, type it anyway. Type it now. (I put asterisks in front of those scene ideas to alert me after the deadline to put that scene where it belongs.) It's important to get it on the page while the idea is fresh in your mind.) There will be plenty of time after November 30th to edit the good and the bad. Anything and everything that pops into your creative mind is worthy of the page. It's all about the word count. The point is to get that story idea out of your head and onto the page.

The holidays 🎅🎉💖🍀 have kept me busy and I did very little editing of my nanowrimo first draft. It's still a mess. I've recently begun sharing first draft chapters with my critique group.

Until next time, Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!   

Halloween Fun has ended and it's time to get back to work - IT'S NANOWRIMO TIME!

 

It's NANOWRIMO time!

I hope you've decided to sign up for the annual November self-challenge. Write 50,000 words in a month.

It's not easy, but writers all over the world will be writing their hearts out all month long. 

Even if we don't manage to write 50,000 words before the last day of November, we will have more written than maybe we wouldn't otherwise. So why not give it a try. The challenge begins today!

This is my 3rd time. On my first try many years ago, I was successful.

                                  On my second try, I wasn't.

                                  We'll see how this year goes. I have high hopes.

I wish everyone who registered the best of luck! And a big hug to everyone participating.

I'll keep you posted. In the meantime,

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling.

Finding the time to write when life gets busy

 What do you do when unexpected company shows up for a week long visit? Doctors appointments, scheduled car maintenance, and family obligations, are swallowing up your days. You promise yourself that you'll squeeze in a couple of hours of writing when the lights go out and the world is asleep. Unfortunately, while you're waiting for the laptop to fire up, you realize you're just too tired to write. Tomorrow is another day.

Tomorrow, the sun set and you were just as busy as yesterday? 

There are plenty of blog posts and websites with suggestions on how to find a bit of time in your busy day to write. Not all will work for everyone. However, it's well-worth looking at some of the advice. If even one suggestion resonates and opens up a little bit of writing time, it's worth a try.

Vicki Millar from NZ is a multi-talented woman. Vicki shares ways to gain writing time on her Facebook page. Look her up to read many more tips.

Here's a good one from Vicki. Set time limits for tasks. If you give yourself only one hour to clean the house, you'll move faster and finish sooner. What may have taken longer last week, may take much less time to finish when on a time limit. This one works for me. I never thought to use it to free up writing time. I've done it for other reasons. Like when I wanted to get a snack during a commercial. It's funny how quickly we can make up a snack tray during commercials! 😀 Why not speed up for writing time.

Vicki advises staying focused. Don't get side-tracked. I need to be thoughtful on this issue with so many things in my life volleying for attention.

Vicki suggests investing a little money to save time. For example: try online grocery shopping and or pay a little money for the groceries to be delivered. Brilliant! I spend at least an hour or two when I shop for the family. Never thought to take those two hours and sit down at my laptop and write. 😃

One way that I have stolen some writing time is taking my laptop with me when I go to doctor appointments. I am transportation for some people who cannot drive. Doctors are getting busier and busier causing wait times to be longer and longer. While I'm sitting in waiting rooms, I now open my laptop and write or do research for a writing project. I'm amazed by how much time I've taken back.

Self-care is no longer a simple pleasure. It's become a necessity. Writing brings me joy. When I'm imagining and creating, I escape the demands of real life. When I close my laptop I feel happy and fulfilled. Writing is my favorite self-care activity. If writing brings you joy too, then carry on and take care of yourself.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!. 

  

Holiday Fun! If I can do it, You can too

 

Lining up the red balls ... I can do it!

It takes a steady hand ... I can do it!

                                                          

I've got this ... YES!

KEEP WRITING, KEEP SUBMITTING, AND KEEP SMILING!

Something Wonderful Will Happen!

 I am a proud member of the Florida Writers Association. FWA

Each year the organization offers two writing contests. The Royal Palm Literary Awards (RPLA) is a prestigious writing competition for adults members and provides written assessments to all entrants. I entered the 2021 contest. The contestants won't know the results for a while yet.

The other contest is Florida Writers Association Collection. For the 2021 contest adult and youth entrants wrote to the theme Footprints. The winning submissions are published in an anthology. I entered this contest too and my entry, One legged Seagull-My Story, is a winner! My entry will appear  in the book! Here is a sneak peak at the cover. The release date is in October 2021. 

To add to that bit of wonderful news, I was then asked to be a judge for the 2021 RPLA contest. I began judging after completing the application process.

I'm enjoying the process very much. I won't be judging the category I am entered in.

So you never know what opportunities will come to you from submitting. So finish up those stories and take the leap.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!

Waiting to hear about a submission is like waiting for the fisherman to return!

Sometimes news of the catch is good and sometimes not so much, but always worth the anticipation.

Comparing the wait for news of a submission's status with pelicans waiting for fishing boats to come in is a stretch; but isn't it fun!

I mentioned in an earlier post, that two of my contest flash fiction stories were chosen for publication in a local authors 2020 anthology, sponsored by our public library system. Unfortunately, the latest news from the library reported delays, (I'm guessing Pandemic delays), and the book publication date is on hold. I checked in a second time, and the news was possible publication in December 2020. It didn't happen at that time. As of this post, it's been a year. I decided to submit the work in two other flash fiction contests with WOW-Women on Writing. I was excited when both pieces made it through first phase judging. They didn't win prizes, but I received great feedback from an editor/judge. Although I didn't catch the big fish prize, I do feel like I received the smaller bait fish, just as nourishing from encouraging feedback.

Another story I submitted to Chicken Soup for the Soul has made it through the first phase of consideration and I was sent a contract to read, sign, and return. I was told the story has to go through one more person before it's a sure thing. I was told most pieces that make it this far do make it into the book. I was as happy as the pelican who is tossed an even bigger fish. I'll keep you posted when I receive the final update. 

I have two more stories submitted for consideration to Chicken Soup for the Soul future books. No word yet. Submission periods are still open.

I've submitted two short story pieces for the 2021 contest through the FWA, (Florida Writers Association), the prestigious RPLA awards, and a poem for the annual FWA themed anthology contest. The guidelines for these two contests are strict and I was thrilled to receive an email saying the submissions qualified and moved on to judging. Although I've been a member for three years, I've never entered due to being intimidated by the many rules. Fortunately, this year, the guidelines were reviewed and cut by 50%. Qualifying for this particular contest may seem to be a small fish to some, but to me it was a wonderful accomplishment.

Please note: Always, Always, Always, read the guidelines for every contest and submission. Follow the guidelines or risk being disqualified. You've worked hard on your piece and you want it read. Many guidelines will state, if you get disqualified, you lose your contest submission fee.

The RPLA contest will send feedback either way. Always appreciate professional feedback. It's important to accept the feedback graciously and to give it serious consideration. 

I had a few pieces that didn't toss me any fish at all. Like fisherman, we have to take the bad days with the good. But every new day brings a new opportunity to put yourself out there, submit, and work hard for the great catch of your life!

I'd love to read how your submissions are going. Leave me a comment.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!