Wandering Thoughts of a Writer: #writing

Showing posts with label #writing. Show all posts

I know it’s been over six months since I wrote on this blog, but it’s been a challenging year. Honestly, this year has sucked ass.

Seriously.

2021 for us has been full of loss, struggles, anxiety, instability, blah, blah, blah.

BUT on the positive side, it’s been filled with extreme growth, self-discovery, and starting a new book series (The Last O’Clery Witch), but more on that in a minute.

I haven’t felt like writing or doing anything creative because of the hurdles and setbacks we’ve been going through. Hopefully, they’re over with now.

I do believe in the power of manifestation, and we get what we focus on the most.

If you’re mostly focusing on negative shit, then you’ll bring it into your experience, so I’ve been focusing on what I want instead of what I don’t want.

The trick though is to learn how to monitor your thoughts because the mind loves to tell stories.

It loves drama.

It loves to make up shit to worry about.

Meditation is the best way to learn how to take control of your thoughts. I’m not a pro at it yet, but I plan to be.

There are things in our life that we don’t have control over like just recently our 14-year-old cat fur friend (Church) died, and we had to watch the whole thing because the vets wouldn’t see him because of Covid.

They wouldn’t answer their phone.

They wouldn’t answer their doors.

And they weren’t taking new patients.

It was fucking heartbreaking! 😭

We didn’t realize how much our decisions in life included Church until he left us.

We miss him so much.

The morning we drove up the forested mountain to bury him among the redwood trees was unbelievably magickal. ✨

I took this picture on the way up the mountain. The photo doesn’t do it justice, but the ray of sunshine was like letting us know that Church made it across the rainbow bridge.

He’s no longer in pain.

He’s no longer sick.

He’s happy now.

He’s having fun.

He wanted us to know that.

Also, the magnificent redwood tree we buried him under will look out for him and is honored to do so.

Putting Church to rest was an amazing experience that we’ll never forget.

It was as if we stepped into a different realm and were given a glimpse into it.

So yeah, there are things in life we don’t have control over. I didn’t manifest Church’s demise or my father-in-law’s death, or my friend’s death, or my ex-coworker/physician’s suicide, or my dad’s mini-stroke he just had last week.

Told ya it’s been a rough year, and that’s not all of it . . .

. . . But we won’t go into that.

I don’t like to get negative. I just wanted to give you a general idea of what’s been going on in my world this year.

Btw, we’re still on the southern coast of Oregon, and we love it here!

We have no regrets about moving here, even with all the hardships and coming close to living out of our car. 😬

But when it comes to being true to yourself and dreams, ya gotta be all in and trust the process . . .

On the book front, Legends of Deceit #2 has been written for a couple of years now and still needs to be professionally edited and go through the whole publishing process, which costs a lot of money.

I haven’t had the resources to do that, but I believe in the future I will.

When?

I don’t know.

If you want to help out you can buy one of my books and tell your friends about them.

The Last O’Clery Witch.

I’m working on getting an agent for The Last O’Clery Witch (book #1 in my Grimbrook series), but it takes time, and honestly, with all the upheavals in my life, I haven’t put much energy into querying agents as I should. Once we’re stable, I’ll get back at it. For sure. 😉

I do want to create a bitchin’ website for my books, photos, and videos. That is a future goal of mine.

Well, my friends, there you have it.

We’re almost through 2021.

I do believe I’m a winner, and I can be, do, and have whatever I want.

I’m not giving up.

I will continue to be true to myself.

Cheers! 🥂

#2021, #anxiety, #beyondtheeyes, #books, #cat, #challenges, #covid, #death, #manifestation, #oregon, #publishing, #stories, #struggles, #suicide, #thoughts, #writing, 2 Comments

I know what it’s like to have writer’s block. I've experienced it many times.

Some people claim that writer’s block is bullshit.

Whatever.

If they've never experienced it, good for them. However, I have and so have all the authors I know, and I’m friends with quite a few.

So how do you overcome it?

I’m going to tell you how.

We’ve all been there—at least us mortals have—where you’re cruising along in your story and BAM! It’s as if your brain suddenly clogged up.

WTH?

You sit there, staring at the computer screen for a while.

Whom am I kidding?

For an hour or HOURS and nothing comes to you.

Now what?

Here are six tips you can try the next time you experience the dreaded *stage whispers* writer’s blog.

1.) Walk away!

That’s right. Save what you've already written and walk away. It does you no good to sit there and stare at the screen. So do something else. Clear your head. Relax. Then go back to it later.

2.) Read.

Read a book in the same genre you’re writing in. You’ll be surprised at how well that works and the inspiration it’ll spark within you.

3.) Watch a movie or TV show.

Watch a movie or TV show similar to the type of story you’re writing. It works the same way as reading a book.

4.) Read what you've already written.

You don’t have to read everything, just the chapter you're working on or the one before it. Sometimes reevaluating scenes will make you realize there are things you need to change to make your tale much better.

5.) Be honest with yourself.

Maybe you hit a brick wall because you’re not into the story. Your passion has fizzled. Maybe you need to strip the whole tale and start over or make some major changes.

6.) Get a good night’s sleep.

Maybe you’re tired and need a break, which is fine. There’s nothing wrong with that. Set your manuscript aside, eat a good meal, have a relaxing evening, and get a good night’s sleep.

How do I combat writer’s block?

I read a book in the same genre as the one I’m writing in.

It works for me.

So try it or any of the other suggestions I've mentioned. You’ll be surprised and pleased with the results. J

#author, #authorlife, #books, #create, #creativity, #writers, #writersblock, #writing, 0 Comments

We made a lot of progress today on our RV renovation. I’ll write a post on it soon.

Right now, it’s late, and I don’t have time to write the post.

-So, I thought I’d share my own personal quotes that I live by.

Feel free to share them.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

#happiness, #happy, #life, #lifestyle, #post, #quotes, #RV, #RVrenovation, #society, #write, #writing, 0 Comments

Guess who finished her manuscript yesterday?

I did!

Finally!

The second book to my Legends of Deceit 2-book series is done . . . well, the first draft.

So why am I walking away from it?

I’ll tell you why.

This is well-known advice in the literary world that a lot of us follow:

After you’re done writing the first draft, you need to set it aside for a couple of weeks or more to distance yourself from it. The reason why is because you need a break from your story, clear your mind, and go back to it with fresh eyes. By doing so you’ll catch more mistakes that way. Also, it’s fun, at least for me, because I’m reading stuff I wrote that I forgot about that’s entertaining. I’m looking forward to reading it at the end of this month.

So there you go. Now some of you learned something new today.

Oh, btw, I don’t have a title to this second book yet, but I will after I read it. Also, I have a cover in mind and will be talking to my designer about it soon, after I have the title. I’ll do a cover reveal here once it’s completed.

If you want to read Legends of Deceit before book two comes out, you can get it on

Amazon for only .99 cents. Here are the links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2u0qAwt

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07374MKJ3/

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Legends-Deceit-Fantasy-Paranormal-Book-ebook/dp/B07374MKJ3/

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Legends-Deceit-Fantasy-Paranormal-Book-ebook/dp/B07374MKJ3/

Cheers!

#advice, #amwriting, #literary, #manuscript, #story, #tip, #writing, 0 Comments

Can you guess what the answer to this title is?

Predictability.

Don’t you hate it when you’re reading a book or watching a movie and you know what’s going to happen before it does?

I do.

Like the movie World War Z.

Toward the end of the movie, I knew what was going to happen. In fact, I told Kevin before it did, and I was right. Actually, the entire script was predictable.

As a writer, you want to avoid having your story be too transparent where the reader will be able to predict the outcome before it even happens. However, you want to capture their interest and keep them guessing. Therefore, you need to leave clues and red herrings to mislead or distract them. Then in the end when everything in your tale comes to light, your reader will be thrilled to discover she was wrong all along or was close to figuring it out.

Another movie I want to mention:

Wild Things with Neve Campbell and Denise Richards.

Have you seen it?

This is a great example of what I'm talking about.

The writer did a fine job on this one.

I remember when Kevin and I first watched it we were like, "No way! That’s fucked up." As we kept watching the movie we gaped at each other a couple of times because we weren’t expecting the things that had happened.

It was great, especially the ending.

The story and the plot totally surprised us.

This is what you want to accomplish.

I do, however, think in some genres you have to be somewhat predictable, like in romance. Most readers of that genre want a happy ending. So, yeah, in the end, the couple overcomes their adversity and falls into each other’s arms, proclaiming their undying love for one another or something along those lines. You
can, though, still make the rest of the story less predictable.

Example: You can have two different paths the main character is forced to choose from. Write both of them to be equally compelling and plausible with a dusting of suspense on the life-changing events. You can create it to where it's a nail-biting decision where either way the character has a lot to lose.

Besides leaving clues and red herrings, you can also do foreshadowing, which is when you as the author hint at certain plot developments that may come to fruition later in the story. It’s another way to capture the reader’s interest and prepare them for what might unfold.

I do those things in my Beyond the Eyes trilogy, and I’ve actually had fans come up to me and ask about a character or situation they want to know the outcome of. I’m keeping them guessing and they’re so involved in the trilogy that they’re fishing for answers from me. I just tell them they have to read the next book to find out.

Evil?

Nah. It makes me happy I’m doing my job and have people actually emotionally invested in my characters and story.

That’s what you want.

And yeah truth be told, you can’t please everyone.

People are going to hate your story.

I have a few who hate mine and have said nasty things about it. But that's part of the business.

In short, there are some genres you can’t avoid the expected predictability.

But regardless, if you write a tale where the audience is looking for a happy ending that you must deliver, you can still keep them guessing throughout the story by spinning it with suspense and uncertainty.

It’ll keep them turning the page long after bedtime.

So throw in some hints, scatter a few red herrings and do a little foreshadowing.

Hints + red herring + foreshadowing= suspense and unpredictability.

Those three things carefully executed into your story will delight your readers in the end.

#amwriting, #author, #foreshadowing, #red herring, #story, #suspense, #tale, #writing, 0 Comments

I’m in the process of finishing book two in my Legends of Deceit series.

Today I wrote over 2,000 words.

Wowzers!

That is a lot of words for me to write in one day. However, I was determined to finish the first draft.

But . . .

I had to stop.

Why?

Because I’ve reached an emotional part of the story that I need to write, and I know I’m going to cry when I write it.

So I saved my work and set it aside.

That’s what I do when I know I need to write a tear-jerking scene.

After that, I take the time to mentally prepare myself to write it. My process usually takes me a day, so I’ll be writing it tomorrow.

How do I mentally prepare myself?

I ponder the scene over while trying not to get emotional as it plays out inside my head. Sometimes it’s challenging not to tear up while thinking about it in public.

It's kinda funny.

I know, I’m a dork, but I don’t think I’m the only author out there who experiences that.

We’re invested in our characters.

We love them.

Of course, we’re going to get emotional when something happens to them.

Also, it’s a good thing because if what we write emotionally affects us, then more than likely it’ll do the same to our readers.

Anyway, my process is simplistic: Save my work, set it aside, ponder over it for a day to mentally prepare myself to write the scene, all the while playing it out inside my head.

I’m all about minimalizing my life, and if I can incorporate it into my work and enriching it by doing so, I will.

If you’re an author reading this, feel free to enter what your process is when you reach an emotional part of your story that you have to write.

Until next time.

Cheers!

#amwriting, #book, #characters, #crying, #emotional, #firstdraft, #funny, #scene, #writing, 0 Comments

I was asked this question the other day . . .

How is book two in your Legends of Deceit series coming along?

Well . . .

I would have been done with this first draft ages ago but . . .

Life happened.

I planned on completing the first draft this month—it could still happen—however, a pleasant surprise just sprang up on me . . . like Monday morning before my computer decided to not work.

It’s bitchin’.

At least, I think so.

I love, love when shit like this happens to me while I’m writing my stories.

My mouth literally dropped.

Seriously.

I was like . . .

Fuck yeah!

So this might mean the first draft won’t be done until April.

Once it is, I’m going to put it away for a week or two, then start the first read through and edits.

I’ll do it two or three times before I send the manuscript to my beta readers.

After they’re done, and I edit some more, I’ll send it to my editor.

As you can see, before a book is published, it goes through a lot of processes to make it sparkle.

But!

It’s worth it in the long run.

Btw, I’ll have a title soon, and then I’ll figure out the cover.

When will the book be published?

It should be this year.

Should.

LOL

I’m doing the best I can considering I have a lot on my plate.

Remember, I’m also working towards a HUGE life-changing decision.

Exciting times are on the horizon.

I’ll keep you posted.

#author, #betareader, #edits, #story, #surprise, #suspense, #writing, 0 Comments

Happy Friday!

I found out today we’re supposed to get clobbered with more snow.

Are you frickin’ kidding me?

A couple of weeks ago we got I think it was 14 inches of snow, and it’s finally melting.

But oh, no. Mr. Winter here isn’t done with us yet.

We’re supposed to get dumped on today, Sunday, and Monday.

Oh, and get this . . .

The weather peeps are predicting snow at the beginning of April as well.

Really?

I think Spring is sleeping in.

Someone needs to wake her up.

I wanted to start working on Aesop A.K.A. RV this weekend, but I guess not.

I also wanted to start filming.

But, that’s okay. I’ll be able to do those things soon enough.

So this weekend I’ll be learning how to use our new camera, hopefully—I don’t want to jinx myself—finish the second book to Legends of Deceit series, or get through the current scene I’m kinda stuck in, work on future plans, go on date night, among other things.

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a good one!

#camera, #filming, #RV, #snow, #spring, #weekend, #winter, #writing, 0 Comments

I’ve been writing the second book to Legends of Deceit since the end of last summer.

Do I have a title name yet?

Nope.

There will be a title after I tackle the first revision.

When will it be out?

I’m hoping this year.

*fingers and piggies crossed*

I’m almost done with the first draft. I would have been done sooner, but I have other things going on in my life that require my attention as well.

#futureplansinthemaking

Writing a book is a long ass process. I know there are authors who write a book a month or every other month.

I don’t know how they do it.

But I’ve come to the realization every writer is different.

If I were to compare myself to others, I’d be doing myself a disservice.

The only author/writer I should be comparing myself to is myself.

Am I advancing in my craft/art?

Do I love to write?

Am I having fun writing?

So I no longer fret or get all balled up in a knot over how long it takes for me to churn out a novel. The important part is if those three questions are answered with a yes, and that I put out good quality stories for you guys—the readers.

Legends of Deceit is a two book series.

Oh, and guess what?

It’s .99 cents right now.

I don’t know how long Legends of Deceit is going to stay on sale, but right now it’s $3.00 off the regular price.

Here’s where you can get it for .99 centsà

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2u0qAwt

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07374MKJ3/

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Legends-Deceit-Fantasy-Paranormal-Book-ebook/dp/B07374MKJ3/

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Legends-Deceit-Fantasy-Paranormal-Book-ebook/dp/B07374MKJ3/

Also, I was interviewed to be in a paranormal e-magazine called

Alternative Perceptions. Once it’s published, I’ll letcha know.

Until next time.

#art, #authors, #book, #creativity, #fantasy, #future, #futureplans, #interview, #LegendsofDeceit, #paranormal, #peace, #sale, #writing, 0 Comments

Life is too short and the world is wide. Why wait until you retire to do the things you want to do? And this is if you're lucky enough to make it to retirement age AND if you survive RIGHT after you retire. Do you know how many people I've heard of who retired, looking forward to their time off, to finally be able to do what they want to do, only to die shortly after? Um . . . quite a few.

Not us.

The hubster and I see things differently and so do others who have done what we're working towards and embarking upon.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

For sure.

I've never been materialistic. Maybe because I was basically on my own at the age of 16 and had $30.00--if that--to live on for a week. I'd go to the grocery store with only $10.00 to spend. I lived off of a pound of hamburger, Ramen noodles, and frozen burritos. Sometimes I was forced to go to a food bank. I know how to survive on very little and so does Kevin (hubster). He was in a similar situation.

It sucked.

But.

It made us stronger, resilient, and resourceful.

We'll never ever forget what it was like to be poor, and frankly, I'll do whatever I can to avoid that situation again.

So Kevin and I have experience in being dirt poor. We also have the experience of owning a nice house, classic car . . . basically what society has drilled into everyone as the American dream.

We were in debt.

On the outside to others we had it made.

Not.

Kevin's job was a stress pit.

If he died, he'd be replaced with a snap of a finger.

Fuck that.

We're not waiting to live the life we want.

I'm a planner.

And I'm not afraid to admit, I need security.

Finacial security.

So we wait.

We renovate the RV.

Make it our own which will be vintage/hippie/boho style.

Make sure it's mechanically sound.

Get the solar panels on so we can have free energy.

I love free energy.

Save, Save. Save.

Sell our house.

In the meantime, I find ways to make money online through my books, freelance writing, Etsy store, and so forth.

I'm not going to lie, I wish we can leave now, but I'm a planner.

Did I say that already?

We need to do this right.

Oh, and I just bought a camera so we can start filming our documentary. However, I won't upload it to Youtube until we go, that way everything will be seamless and flow together.

But!

We're going to start filming soon.

How exciting is that?

Very.

Anyway, I'll keep you updated on our progress and the progress of book 2 to Legends of Deceit.

Cheers!

#books, #daretolive, #life, #travel, #writing, 2 Comments

So how do you like my new revamp blog?

I’m digging it and will probably play around with it later.

Why would I change my blog?

I’m moving into a totally different direction in my life that’ll eventually have to do with writing, travel, and adventure.

Eventually.

This is a year or so plan in the making.

What’s the plan?

The hubster and I bought this RV A.K.A. Aesop, last September.

Once the weather warms up, we’re going to renovate it and make it our own.

Here’s what it looks like inside right now.

It’s the total Vegas look.

Gag.

We’re going to rip up that nasty carpet, put down like a barn wood flooring, get rid of the blue velvet and brass and paint the cabinets among other things.

We’re going to document the whole renovation, so I’ll share it with you.

What’s the plan?

The hubster and I are going to travel the U.S. in our RV and be digital nomads. We’ll be creating a documentary about our adventures/travel, and I’ll continue to write as well as put other social media content out.

I just opened an Etsy store called: DARETOLIVESHOP. It’s another way to hopefully bring in some extra cash to help fund our documentary. Right now, there are cool inspirational t-shirts to buy. I’m still working on putting other products in my shop, and I’m having fun doing it. Here’s the link if you want to check it outà https://www.etsy.com/shop/DARETOLIVESHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect

It’s also on one of the tabs above.

Anyway, that’s my crazy plan—travel the US as a digital nomad in my RV and living off grid—and I'm so happy and excited about it.

I’ll be doing an update on my current writing in progress soon.

Cheers!

#adventure, #author, #book, #daretolive, #documentary, #etsy, #future, #inspiration, #shirts, #shop, #travel, #writer, #writing, 1 Comments

Wandering Thoughts of a Writer

This Has Been A Challenging Year

Six Tips On How To Overcome Writer's Block

Two Quotes To Live By

Why You Should Walk Away From Your Manuscript After It’s Completed.

You Should Avoid This While Writing Your Story

What I Do When I Reach An Emotional Part Of The Story I'm Writing.

What’s Up With Book Two In My Legends of Deceit Series?

More Snow!

When Is The Next Book Coming Out?

Why Wait?

What Is My Crazy Future Plan?

Popular Posts

Recent Posts

Popular Posts

Recent Posts

About Rebekkah Ford & Blog

What Readers Are Saying . . .

Facebook

Follow me

Get new posts by email:

Spread the Love