Writing is like a warm bubble bath

Dear readers,

Have you ever felt that writing is your safe haven? I do. Last week I didn't have such a great week and it was work related (My fake job, which pays the bills as opposed to my real job, writing).
Anyway, on Friday, I was really stressed and a little low when I got home. Then I thought about the novel that I'm currently writing and just felt an immediate lift of spirit. Sometimes during the day when something doesn't go my way, I also just think about myself as a writer, my books and everything that goes with it and I feel so much better. That is the real me and in my world as a writer, I can can dream and create people, places and circumstances from nothing. I can be myself and have things the way I want them to be. Writing, to me, is like a warm bubble bath after a long stressful day or warm, cuddly socks on a cold. Once I sink myself into it, everything is okay with the world.  I can step out of the real world and create my own.
I really thank God for my talent. I can't imagine not being a writer. It's just the most beautiful gift anyone could have given me.
How does being a writer make you feel?

Hugs

Liz

Behind schedule but happy

I've made a lot of progress on my novel. I have to admit that I haven't been able to get up early every morning, but I do most mornings of the week. I always feel great when I do because I go through the day knowing that I have accomplished something that's close to my heart.

When I don't manage to get up, I do try my best to squeeze out as much time from my busy day as I possibly can.

Even though I did make lots of progress, I will not be able to be done by my 30th birthday as I had planned. My birthday is already on Thursday. I'm close to the end of editing, but not close enough to let go.

My new promise to myself is that I'll make it by the end of summer. One thing I don't want to do, is to rush it.

 One thing before I disappear into my life. I received a very sweet award from my writing buddy, Larissa at: A Three Way Tie. Drop by and say hi. she's amazing. I'll pass on the award as soon as possible.

Anyway, that's it from my end. I'll keep you updated as I move forward.

Liz

Early Bird--Day 4 update

It's day four since I decided to become an early bird. Surely I passed the test. I'm definitely still in the game. I plan to be waking up earlier only Mondays to Fridays.

I'll use weekends to catch up on sleep or else I'll end being a zombie. Sort of like a little reward.

Tomorrow I'll try to squeeze in a few extra hours of shut eye. I say try, because it usually happens that on days that I'm actually allowed to sleep longer, that's when my eyes force themselves open early in the morning and it's hard to get back to sleep.

When I have to get up early for work or anything else that requires me getting up early, that's when sleep is simply irresistible. I think it's like that for some people.

That's why I have a backup plan. If I happen to wake up early, I'll read a nice novel. I might start The Beach House by Jane Green. I read it already, but I love it, so why not again?

I'm also a digital scrapbooker, so I might cook up some designs. The point is to do something that's different and inspiring.
I'll do my editing at night on Saturday and Sunday. Monday, I turn into an early bird again.

What do you think of my plan?

Liz

Editing blues and writer's block

I'm kind of lost at the moment. I'm practically done writing Chocolate Aftertaste. All that's left are some edit finishing touches and I'm finding it so hard. I wrote an 80 000 word manuscript. How did that happen when I'm finding it so hard to get through this editing? I hate editing, I hate it like the pest.

Sorry for venting out loud. I needed to let out some steam. Editing is pushing me into writer's block. It has to stop. It has to stop now.
An hour ago I made a decision. I'm going to create a fixed writing schedule. I'm not a morning person, at least that's what I'd been telling myself for as long as I can remember. I've decided to check if that is actually true.

Lately there just don't seem to be enough hours in my day. There are so many things vying for my attention. When I get back from work, cook, eat,study etc., my day melts away like an ice cube in warm water. I try to squeeze in a few hours a week to edit, but I still don't feel like I'm getting anywhere.

What I need is a fixed writing schedule and that's what I'm about to create. From tomorrow morning, I'm going to be waking up earlier so I can write/edit for two hours before leaving for work. I know it probably won't be that easy. You have no idea how much I love my morning sleep. I do hope it gets easier with each day. I'll keep my eyes fixed on the goal. I want to start searching for agents by my 30th birthday in June-my present to myself. I hope that keeps me keeping on.

A chance to start over

I'd like to welcome everyone into the new year. May the year bring you all that you wish for yourself--the best.
I'm always amazed at how fast a year speeds by. Just when I'm getting used to writing 2010, a new year starts. I'm not complaining. Apart from adding a year to my age, it's a chance to start a new chapter and correct mistakes I may have made last year. I see this year as a blank slate in this phase of my life. I'm going to travel through it as if it were impossible to fail. On this journey, I'm going to go through my suitcase of choices and pick those that don't leave a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.

A few of my favorite things

There's nothing I love more than finding a package from Amazon in our mailbox--addressed to me of course. If someone asks me what I want for my birthday, Christmas, anniversary, or other occasions that require unwrapping presents, I always just have one answer. Books, books, books and many more of them.

Back to why I'm writing this post. A few weeks ago I received one of my endless orders from Amazon. This is what I bought:

 Romance Writer's Phrase Book (Perigee): I actually bought a copy of this book last year but after moving twice, it disappeared. I loved it so much that after ransacking the apartment for months and not finding it, I had to order it again. I can live without it, but I don't want to. It's not only the romance phrases I'm interested in--some are really great--but the way it never fails to get my juices flowing is inspiring. I just had to get it...AGAIN. I know at some point I'll probably bump into the old copy, but what the hell, then I'll have a reserve.

 The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile: I heard great things about this book. I haven't really read it through yet, but so far, I am happy with the advice Noah Lukeman has given me. It definitely wasn't a waste of money.

 Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print : I really like this book, but I was quite frustrated when it landed in my mailbox. When I flipped the first few pages, I realized that I already have it--with a different cover. But I do have to tell you that it is worth having because it taught so much about editing. I thought my writing was all that, until I read Chapter 1: Show and Tell.and Chapter 7: Easy Beats. After reading especially those two chapters, I wanted to shrivel up and die. The scenes, sentences, and words I thought made my novel a super star, were the things I did wrong. I'm glad I bought it. And having a second copy can't hurt either.

 The Describer's Dictionary: A Treasury of Terms & Literary Quotations: This book is the reason for this post. I love it love it love it. I mentioned on twitter that I love a reference book that just gets me. This book is it. No writer should be without it. With this book at my side, I think faster, writer stronger and make my scenes pop like never before.

Those were just a few reference books I feel make my life a little easier. They deserved a mention.

What are your favorite writing reference books?

The gift of creation

Did I mention I love being a writer? Okay. Then let me tell you something you don't know. I really love being a writer.
I love that I have the power to create and destroy as I please. At the moment, I'm at a stage in my novel where I'm about to break a character's hand. I don't know yet exactly how it will happen, but I have enough words at my disposal to create something that will fall on his hand and fracture his bones.
Don't worry. I have nothing against him. I'm actually doing it for him. When he realizes a few pages later why I did it, he'll actually thank me for it. See, I'm not that mean. I wouldn't hurt a beloved character just because it brings me pleasure. I'm a romance writer after all. I'm in the business of creating love, not pain.
What I'm trying to say here is that writing is an amazing thing and I thank God for giving me this gift. Sometimes I flip through my manuscript(s) and am still astonished that what had started as one word, is now a whole new world with people breathing, eating, drinking, laughing, and living in it. Really, can it get better than that?