Creative Juices Are Flowing

I'm finally getting into the groove of things with my current WIP. I wrote, I don't know, like 4,000 words over a couple of days and really got into the character's head. It was hard at first to see through her eyes, but after a while I began to feel what she was feeling. It's not always easy to put yourself in your character's mind, a lot of times you want them to react to situations the way you would, but that's not the point of writing. My characters are usually very different from me, some of them may have small similarities, but not so much that you might mistake them for me. The whole point of writing them is so that you can see their journey and understand what they're going through, and it's not always easy. At times when my MC is going through something difficult I want them to react in a certain way so that the situation will be easier to handle, but you have to stop yourself, because conflict is necessary in the scene in order to push the plot along and make it more interesting. If you make your charactesr do exactly what you want them to, and not let them explore their own world, you might as well end after page five with the words And They Lived Happily Ever After written in that bold curving style that reminds you of Disney movies. Life is not perfect or easy, it's grueling and long, and can be painful and you have to put all of that real and hard stuff into the story, not matter how hard it may be for you, because at the end of the day it's not really about you, it' s about your characters and the story that they want you to tell. Alright, back to writing, and exploring, and understanding.

Five For Friday

1. Well...hello there, Friday. I didn't notice you creeping up on me throughout the rest of the week, but boy am I glad you're here.

2. Got some writing done on my new WIP and also made some changes to the other finished product. I'm very excited to be getting back into the groove of things. I always love how a new scene just happens to work in your story without you even realizing what's happening. That's what it's been like this week for me, and it's nice to have a break through.

3. I've been unusually tired this week and I'm pretty sure that it's because I'm trying to rally from our weekend getaway last week. One thing you should know about me: I LOVE sleep, like LOVE.

4. I wish that the weather around here would make up it's mind, is it summer yet? I mean seriously, my kids are dying to play outside all day every day, and this would be nice for me because I can be there with them while I get some writing done. Writing outside is the best.

5. Here's hoping for a productive weekend. I am finally getting into the whole decorating my new house thing and really want to take a look around Target for some stuff. I also need to develop some family pics to crowd our walls with. Hope you have a great weekend too!

I am in over my head, I am so in over my head that I may resemble one of those maids on one of those covers that is flat on her back, legs in the air, while some well muscled man, with arms the size of torpedos does something to her that is quite inapporiate to mention at this time. That's what if feels like, anyway. I have no idea whether or not I'm doing the right/write thing about my future. All I have to go on is that gut feeling. Which isn't much to rely on since my gut usually tells me that I need another piece of chocolate and that it really won't make me gain more weight. So, gut, I don't know if I should trust you anymore. I know I'm hungry, why can't you just push me towards the apple instead of the junk that is full of sugar and fat and high fructose corn syrup- all those things that work together to destroy your muscles and turn it into squishy, pudgy skin- the skin that covers my stomach at the moment.
Here's the thing, I know that my gut isn't wrong, but right now I kind of wish it was. Who wants to spend years upon years chasing some dream that may never come to be? Me, that's who. Because I love writing, and I want to put my stories on paper, even if no one else reads them. And while I continue on this neverending story(Atreyu!) that is also a journey, others will fall by the wayside and give up, helping me to get one step closer to my dreams. Because that means I have less competition to go against. Alright, I'm done complaining...for now. I'm going to go write something meaningful (or not). Okay, maybe I'll just write about kissing, that always gets me riled up.

Motivation

Most day it's hard to find a desire to check everything off your mental 'TO DO'  list, or perhaps yours is literal. I've come to enjoy making lists. There's just something about that feeling you get from accomplishing a task (small as it may be) and crossing it out. But that's not the case every day. There are certain things that will always need to get done, no matter what. Cleaning- check; laundry-check; bills-check. Then there are those things that somehow find their way down to the bottom of the list, even though they're more important than the ones up top- working-out; writing; reading. The thing is that you need motivation for some of those things, and that can be lacking even at the best of times.

You could wake up with a big smile on your face, ready to get things going, feeling upbeat and refreshed, and those things will still somehow manage to get pushed aside. I LOVE reading and writing, I can't imagine my life without those two things. But the whole exercise thing, well, that's a little bit more difficult. I'm in pretty good shape, probably the best shape in my life (that doesn't mean that I look like I did in high school, just that I have a lot more stamina), and running is one of those things that I've grown to love, but even on the best days I can find it hard to put on my sports bra, tie up my shoe laces, and get on that treadmill. I don't know what it is, but my body just feels tired thinking about it. Wouldn't it be great if your body got the exercise that it needs just by thinking about it instead of actually doing it? Wishful thinking, I know.

Anyway, my motivation for writing is different. At times I can feel stuck in a rut because I can't figure out that one scene and I feel like if I don't step away that I'll end up ripping my hair out. I also wonder how much writing versus reading I should be doing. I'm a book addict, and you have to be if you want to be a good writer, but when do you push aside one desire over the other? I've found that doing some writing exercises can be very helpful during those times that I lack motivation. Giving my mind a break from one world and stepping into another can be refreshing. The same goes for reading. The beautiful woven words of another author can inspire you to stop being lazy and start typing.

We all need motivation at one time another, and whatever it may be, make sure that it works for you. At the end of the day when you go over that mental or literal 'To Do' list, make sure that it isn't at the bottom and bask in the glory of the accomplishment. And most of all, don't lose the passion you have for those things that bring you happiness, don't stop dreaming the impossible dream, and put everything you have into making that dream come true.

Back From the Vacay That Wasn't A Vacay

My oldest turned 5 yesterday and it's still not computing that he's going to be starting school in a couple of months. It doesn't seem right. But he's way excited and I'm excited for him, even though I know that the excitement can only last so long before he realizes what exactly entails the whole school thing. Then again, maybe he'll be one of those freaks that LOVED school growing up. This is a very slim possibility given my history with school and also my hubby's history with it- we both couldn't wait for it to be over. Looking back, I probably wouldn't have taken my education for granted. I had an opportunity that some women aren't even given in certain regions of the world. Also, I miss school. Okay, maybe not high school, but sometimes I wish I could go back to college and finish getting my degree.
I do plan on doing so once my kiddos are older. Until then, I'm doing the mommy thing and enjoying doing so. I know that I have stated this before, but I'll do it again- I'm very lucky to have the life that I do. Anyway, I have a lot to do around the house. Laundry being one of those things. I also want to work on some writing, and I want to spend a chunk of the day outside playing with the kids- although it looks like it might rain today, hopefully not though. It's always a little crazy getting back into the groove of things, but I'll get back to it soon enough.

Life

I often find myself lost in the mundane day-to-day things without even realizing that most of it's gone in the nuance of unimportant things. We get so caught up in trivial matters like doing laundry, cleaning, running errands, paying bills- whatever it may be, that we forget to stop and appreciate those small moments that make living worthwhile. It can be anything, really. The way the sun perfectly hits your kitchen window in the morning, bouncing off of the glass, and casting rays of sunshine all throughout the room. Perhaps it's watching your little ones run around in the bright green grass of the day, as the sun peeks gently through the covering clouds below the blue sky. Or maybe it's how the wind picks up around your favorite tree, gently swaying it to the motion of the wisping blows. During those times we'll finally stop and reflect on how lucky we really are, and how amazing life is, and how it's a gift- not a right. I hope that I can stop taking this life for granted and enjoy life's most important matters like playing with my kids, writing the perfect scene in my WIP, being outside when the temperature has the perfect degree of heat with just the amount of wind to blow the clouds out of the way of the sun. Hope everyone has a good weekend, I know I'll be stopping to enjoy the view.

Scrambling For Sanity

So, today I need to pack for the our trip tomorrow, but that probably won't happen until around...say 11:45 tonight. I'm such a procrastinator when it comes to things. Maybe that's why it took me so long to finish my first draft of my current WIP. But, I also do my best work while under pressure- what's up with that? I guess a lifetime of procrastinating has prepared me well. But seriously, there are a lot of things that I need to get done before we leave tomorrow afternoon. Like cleaning. Not a fan. The last thing I want after returning from a long weekend getaway is to come home to a mess. It's bad enought that I'll have a pile of laundry to do right away without adding the stress of dirty dishes, or cluttered counters, and grimy floors. I guess I shouldn't complain too much. I have a pretty good life. I have three amazing kids, a hard working husband who loves me, and a roof over my head. My oldest will be turning five this weekend, and the fact that he's turned out so amazingly really has little to do with me. Really, how did I get so lucky when it came to the kids department? Not saying that the kiddos don't drive me crazy at times, but they're all beautiful and healthy and love each other.
I just wish I had more time in the day to get things done. Once the sun sets and the dark shade of night begins to creep around the edges of the sky, I find that I have regrets. Not all the time. Sometimes though, it is inevitable. I'll wish that I had  played more with the kids, or that I had worked out, I'll want more time to get my writing done, I'll regret not reading. It's a little draining focusing on all the things we get wrong. It happens to the best of us. So today, instead of worrying about what I won't get done, I'll focus on what I can do with the time that I have, and make the most of it. Here's hoping for safe travels and fun times with family, without too much insanity mixed in there as well.