So, I had this "motto" I used for two years. I was supposed to start my master's in creative writing but $42K in student loans at my age just wasn't my cup of tea. So, I resolved to do what I have to do on my own. (Did you know there is a DIYMFA?) And the motto? "For a new me in 2014."
Well, I did learn a lot of things in 2014. But as the year wound down and I did not have a novel finished I told myself it was a year more about learning more about myself. I don't want to tell too much. That gives away the mystery of me and eases the tension that might keep you coming back to read my blog. LOL! The best thing I learned: I can now focus on my goals. I've cleared away the guilt my family causes when I fail to meet their demands aka needs. I've come to the realization that adult children know how to find me when/if they need me. And just because The Man (cradle robber that he is) retired doesn't mean I did. He will just have to adjust.
I write regularly for a local agency, articles that appear in the newspaper. My client asked me to list the topics I have written about over the last three years. (I've written for them for 15 years.) Well, did my eyes fly open! There are 50 articles per year, minimum, a variety of topics, representing my writing skills and talent. My client was impressed when I submitted the list to her. As I compiled that list I had to open up the old laptop that hadn't been used in a couple of years. It's very ssssssssllllllllooooooowwwwww. But I started to look at some of my fiction. Really? I WROTE THAT??? ME??? And I'm holding myself back WHY???
I get a regular email from author Kristen Lamb (https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2015/01/28/how-to-create-multi-dimensional-characters-everybody-lies). If you click on that link it will take you to today's (1/28/2015) blog entry. And the words couldn't have come at a better time. Not only that, but I clinked the link for an earlier entry that was on the same topic. And those words are also helpful to me as I revise this WIP and make sure that my characters are doing what they need to do. After all, if this is going to be the first novel to represent my authorial abilities, I want to make a good and lasting first impression.
Maybe Lamb's blog will help you, too. It never hurts to hear from those who have mastered their craft.
And it's a new year, a new day, and I'm making 2015 mine. Remember my name ...
