scorpioauteur

The past two weeks have been a blur.

I'm in the last stages of editing my novel, The House, that is due out later this year, and times have been quite interesting.

It's funny what happens when you reach a point of having to let go of a book and "put it out there" so to speak.

For me it's a scary time.

And particularly so, since I'm self-publishing this novel. My first work, Keeper of Secrets...Translations of an Incident" a collection of short stories, was brought to print by a traditional publishing house. Continue reading `Last Edits, My Personal Best, and Being Present...'

Sandra Miller Linhart discusses her collection of stories, "The Elementary Adventures of Jones, JEEP, Buck & Blue".

So tune in.

Networking is an interesting and weird thing. It requires give-and-take.

In a world or culture so focused on taking, and amassing, the 21st century version of connecting with others can cause us to see some things about ourselves that are not so pretty.

The Internet is clearly a place where transparency is a plus.

You must give to get. And what you give has to be of service to those from whom seek to receive.

So how does one get into this mode of giving without worrying so much of what I'll receive? Continue reading `Give-and-Take, Mysteries and Playgrounds...'

Perseverance in completing that first draft it the first act of embarking on the journey of evolution we undergo each time we craft a story.

Thus we focus our energies and concentration on towards typing each word so that we might complete each sentence, craft every paragraph, shape each scene.

At this time, we, the writer must not fall under the spell of judgment and self-criticism of what we write.

Our goal is to remain open to the words coming through us. We must turn off the internal editor and write. Read the rest of this entry...

Why is it so difficult to write sometimes?

Distraction.

It is the secret enemy of writers and authors that slithers in, most often unnoticed, when we have many things going on.

Ahhh, the art of multi-tasking.

Distraction presents an especially difficult challenge when good and positive things are happening for and to us.

Writers, like most artists, come to our work because we were not seen and acknowledged by our parents.

Well-meaning, and by no means Mommie Dearest, our parents held our well-being as their utmost concern when guiding, and coercing, if not blatantly steering us from pursuing the work we sought to accomplish as artists in our efforts towards financial fulfillment.

They cared for us. Yet, their ideas were oftentimes the least supportive. And so we found ways of distracting ourselves from their desires and will to have us be more normal by choosing careers offering what they felt certain would provide a more stable and secure lifestyle. Continue reading `Distractions, Passion and Showing Up...'

The pull to reach the summit of action in a novel, or story requires the writer to look within.

More than that we must reach down into those dark places where fears, and hidden joys lurk.

It is here when connecting with those aspects of life that frighten us that we uncover the yearnings and desires that motivate and drive our protagonists and supporting cast. Read the rest of this entry...

Author and Marriage and Family Counselor, Brett R. Williams discusses his book, "You Can Be Right or You Can Be Married: Love-Based Solutions for Couples".

So tune in.

My daughter recently stated that she hopes that my husband and I live to a ripe old age and that we die together, much like Noah and Allie in the movie based on The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks. My daughter had just finished reading Spark's novel, now a movie, Dear John.

That's the great thing about reading books. They awaken us to parts of ourselves, hopes dreams and wishes, and those held for us by loved ones.

That my daughter, not yet 25, could offer me such a gift I find astounding. Most children, and rightfully so, want their parents alive for as long as possible.

Saying this to my daughter, she responded with, "I can handle my life, take care of myself as long as I know that you and Daddy are together somewhere in the universe, even if I'm not with you." Continue reading `Dear John, A Daughter's Wish and Moments of Awakening...'