Title: The Scientist
Artist(s): Natasha Bedingfield
***
Leonardo da Vinci was a brilliant artist and his painting of the Mona Lisa has long been a favorite portrait displayed at the Louvre. I have even ventured to see the mysterious smile during my life in Paris. I suppose the reputation made me believe she was larger than life, but the actual painting itself stands only 30 x 22 inches. Quite a difference from the wall-sized oils by Monet which I could spend hours drooling at. However, the Mona Lisa is truly a compelling and breathtaking piece of art–so much so that I had always wanted to write about her. Finally, after years and years, I was able to fit her into one of my stories and I’m thrilled. Okay, I’m sure there will be many haters out there but sometimes you just have to do it! I know da Vinci would totally get a kick out of my tribute to him and his incredible talents. In my head, if I can add a little bit of flourishes and broad strokes to my stories, I feel a little closer to the great masters. Artists have this connection to one another and by being able to share our love in whatever way possible, it reminds us of the beauty of these people and how they have impacted my life. In my head, I see the vibrant palettes, the canvas, the colors that spring forth and brighten my world.
This month, I’m going to schedule time to visit my local museum. Art inspires me and I know after my deadlines, I’ll be in need of it!
Title: Walking on Sunshine
Artist(s): Katrina & The Waves
***
I’ve spent a lot of time invested in various projects because of my passion, love, and commitment to certain things. The past few years I’ve noticed that people aren’t as kind, generous, and friendly as they once were. Sadly, some people will find any reason to fault you, especially when your words hit a chord. Even though the message isn’t aimed or directed at them, they immediately think the worst. Instead of asking for explanations, they instantly despise you without getting the facts. Well, I started wondering if it’s really me being insensitive, or maybe their own guilt. Lashing out and passing the blame is an easier way to deal with whatever it is they’ve been repressing. If it makes them feel better, great. I’m sure they’ll eventually figure it out that it’s not always about them. The world doesn’t just revolve around them. They’re adults and I hope they figure this out some day.
D-R-A-M-A. Who needs it? I surely don’t. I’m too old and tired for this.
Life is too precious, too short to try to make everybody happy. You can put as much love and energy into anything, and someone’s going to be there to knock you down. I’ve seen it happen, not only to myself, but to my friends. So, after years of bottling in these disappointments, taking all the crazy abuse, I suddenly cracked. We’re human, and we aren’t a punching bag for everyone to take their personal frustrations out on us. That’s not how I want to live.
Even with my own personal upheavals, I’m strong. When I get knocked down, I get back up, I brush myself off and keep going. A few nicks and scrapes isn’t going to stop me from traveling the road I’ve always traveled. Instead, I find comfort in knowing my flaws. In the midst of everything, I realized I don’t want to subject myself to all the negativity that’s clouded me for years. It’s become my crutch. I don’t want to turn into that hard, angry person who has lost the ability to care…because, that’s not me. There’s enough angry people out there. No matter how difficult the situation, I have the power to turn things around for myself. I’m a fighter. I have to focus on my inner spirit. I need to heal my soul. To purge myself of all the hurt, bitterness, and anger. I’m not going to let these outside forces control the person I want to be. The person I know is truly good. The person who tries to help others and hope they will someday pass it on. That’s who I really am. Not some crazy, stubborn, insensitive person. That’s not me.
I want more out of life and in order to get this spiritual peace…this Zen back. I need to take time to focus solely on myself, my writing, my family, my friends. I’ve always said I would do it, but I tend to get sucked back into the dark well of chaos. My compassion for others and desire to please became this crutch. Now, I’m freeing myself and walking with purpose, my head up high. In time, I’ll run. In time I will be in a position to really help others. To really make a difference and I’ve got goals I want to meet. Not just with writing, but with things that will bring meaning to my life. Real, honest to goodness meaning.
This is a very difficult leap but I’m cutting the drama out of my life so I can soar to heights unknown. It’s peaceful up there. It’s a place where I need to be. It’s where the creativity flies alongside and it’s invigorating.
I hope you find that place too. I’ll see you there!
***
Try not to become a (wo)man of success but a (wo)man of value. –Albert Einstein
Title: The Man Who Can’t Be Moved
Artist(s): The Script
***
I have a goal to finish and polish this manuscript in 3 1/2 weeks.
Right.
It’s been extremely difficult to find my footing again when it comes to writing. Maybe the whirlwind chaos in my personal life has contributed to the stagnant creativity. However, as the pressures mount, I know I will meet those deadlines..even if I’m kicking and screaming all the way to the end. Okay, truthfully, I’m not one who needs drama in my life–but I won’t lie, I love a good fight…a battle of wills against the writerly me and the practical me. I know it’s not easy to switch into writing mode after a brief hiatus so I’m easing my way back into a regular writing schedule.
I can hear my beta readers chastising me for re-reading my chapters a zillion times and not just getting the words down on the page. It’s easier said than done. I tend to forget what I’ve written so I need the re-read to refresh my memory. Can’t help the short-term memory lapse I have but this time it’s necessary for me. But that’s not the issue with my progress. Bottom line, I tend to pick apart my writing, and then find reasons to re-evaluate my voice. It’s a natural state writers are in when they panic. Hey, at least I’m seeing the truth for what it is. I know it’s totally the worse thing an author can do–self-doubting myself but there’s no way around it. Doesn’t mean I’m giving up, just means I need to curb that insecurity and move on.
I’ve been at the beach house for about 24 hours now and it’s refreshing. The ocean air is good for the mind. The peaceful calm looking out does wonders for me and I’ve already picked up the pace. I suppose all I really needed was a change of venue. Home can be stifling at times so now that I know I can write here, I certainly can write anywhere. I think this revelation has come just in time because I’m starting to feel better about this goal. I’m even starting to believe there’s a chance this book may make it out on shelves by 2011 or 2012.
I’m really happy with the world I’ve created and I hope you all will too when it finally gets a publishing home. I’ll keep you posted. Now for the MIA part. Will see you in a few weeks, unless I have the urge to post something during a break!
If you are in a creative funk, I’ve recently done a blog interview about Artists Trading Cards and how it helps me write. You should go to author Kelly L Stone’s new website/blog launch and read for yourself. See my samples and try to get creative, too! I’ve also got a few quotes in her book THINKING WRITE. In fact, that’s how we met, and that’s why she asked me to guest blog during her official launch. Her books are inspiring for those authors who are in a funk…check them out!
It’s a special perk to be friends with fabulous & talented authors…well, what exactly am I getting at?
I’m one of those “lucky” ones because Ms. Pearce gave me an early read of her first book in the Tudor Vampire series: KISS OF THE ROSE! I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved it!!!! I’m not an avid reader of vampire books but this one has a very cool concept, a surge of dark, sensual and sexy energy, and so much witty banter it leaves you breathless. I loved the main characters and I got sucked right into the story from the first page. Can you say CHEMISTRY? **Jax fans herself**
I vividly remember when Kate sold this series. She only needed to mention what it was about and I knew I was already hooked. How awesome is it to create a world of vampires and slayers set in the Tudor era, throw in Druid’s curse and mystery and you get an heart-pounding, pulse-racing read. C’mon, if you’ve watched an episode of The Tudors on TV you’d know what I was talking about. There’s something so intriguing about that time period that you can’t help being seduced. Whether it’s the costume, the setting, or the dark and forbidding..I really think you should pick up this book! Give it a try. It’s full of wonderfulness!
***
KISS OF THE ROSE
First in a sexy new series that takes a bite out of the court of King Henry VIII
Desperate to defeat King Richard III and gain the English crown, Henry Tudor made a pact with the Druids that bound him and his heirs to the Druid’s deadly struggle against the Vampires. Ever since, the Llewellyns, an ancient Vampire slaying family, have been in the permanent employ of the monarchy.
Now Henry VIII is on the throne, and his father’s bargain has almost been forgotten. Until corpses drained of blood start turning up in the most inappropriate of places, including the king’s bedchamber. But are these people the victims of the Vampires-or of the Druids?
To save the king from a nameless assassin, Rosalind Llewellyn, Vampire hunter extraordinaire, must form an uneasy alliance with a known Druid slayer. Sir Christopher Ellis hails from a family that has protected the Vampires for centuries, yet Rosalind has no choice but to rely on his help. And with her life threatened and her loyalty tested, Rosalind may even have to acknowledge the unthinkable. This sworn enemy may be her soul mate.
***
Looks like we have a double hitter this year! My good friend R.G. Alexander’s first NY release POSSESS ME is now available, too! You know I’ll be running to the bookstore right after I get this blog post up. It’s amazing to travel on the journey with my friend and to see how talented she is. I love her storytelling and she always has a unique spin on them. I think there are those who have plenty of ideas and those who have plenty of talent, but R.G. has a combination of both which makes me even more proud that this book is out. It focuses on the world of Voodoo but her sexy spin makes it SO not what you perceive all this dark magic stuff is all about. She’s incredible and I hope you pick up her first release. I’m positive you’ll be just as entranced as I am! **Lubs you, RG!**
***
POSSESS ME
In the Big Easy, there’s a legend women long for: a sexual voodoo spirit who can fulfill their darkest fantasies. And in these three steaming-hot novellas, he helps three New Orleans couples achieve the ultimate satisfaction…
Release Me
When Allegra heads down to New Orleans to heal her wounds, she never expects to lose her heart to such a quiet, troubled man as Rousseau. She’s even less prepared for the scorching, sexual spirit within him—and what he can do to her…
Reclaim Me
Ben has loved Michelle as long as he can remember. But his beautiful artist has a way of running away from life—and what the pair could be. Leave it to the infamous sexual spirit to help Ben prove to Michelle where she belongs: in his embrace…
Redeem Me
It’s All Saints’ Day, the one day the voodoo spirit can walk the world in the flesh. When he bumps into Bethany, she might just be the reincarnation of a girl he once loved. Passion ignites, but can he overcome past mistakes and fall in love again?
I’m finalizing details before the big conference on Monday and totally excited about hanging out with all my good friends who are traveling here from exotic locales for this event. My schedule is slowly filling up but I am going to do my best to get some work done. I’m feeling a little relief since my workload pile is no longer growing. I even cleared the month of August to finish my manuscript! This is a big weight off my shoulders because I won’t have any excuse except to write. Once September rolls around, I’ll be back at the freelance design bit.
Man, this year has flown by. I can’t remember when the last time I’ve really had some R&R. I’m constantly on the go. Constantly working, running errands, or taking care of family biz. I didn’t realize how consumed I was with everything going all at once but now I find that if there’s a lull in my day–I feel completely lost. Imagine that.
I’m looking forward to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with my girlfriends on Tuesday. They are the coolest bunch of gals and I’m thankful this will be time for us to bond since my move away from LA. I’ll always feel like a California girl at heart. It was the best experience and I miss the adventures I had there!
Saturday was the first day I started back up on my paranormal. I started reading it from the beginning and with the time away from the project, I rather enjoyed it. I still love the characters and it made me want to make this particular love story really stand out. I’m toying with ideas and I’m sticking to the synopsis but I know all the meat of the story will really surface once I keep going. I probably have too many things I want to include in the storytelling but I’m going to try to rein it in. Don’t know why this project has been so difficult for me but it’s a journey that’s new and I think the idea is brilliant. It totally is! I can’t wait to share it with everyone because it’s so much fun, yet different than what I normally write. However, my next paranormal project will be insanely awesome! I’m over the moon about it!
Unfortunately, I’ve got a lot to do today including cleaning my car, re-packing my suitcase, going through my checklist, taking care of last minute things around the house.
I’ll try my best to post about conference as often as I can but who knows what kind of trouble I’ll get myself into while I’m there….
♦ September 4, 2010 Guest Speaker (with Tracy Truman) at the CFRWA Chapter Meeting
Topic: Tech Savvy - Everything you need to know about websites, web presence, social medias, Word shortcuts, analytics, and so much more!
Fashion Square Mall, Community Room
Orlando, FL
Time: 10:15 AM - 1:00 PM
What am I listening to?
