A Fresh Start, A Clean Page

I have been away for awhile.

Last year I suffered from a serious chronic illness and had to have major surgery in July. I returned to full-time work in September, but still didn't quite feel like myself. I rarely had time to read and only really listened to audiobooks during my drives to and from work, and I rarely felt like, or even had the energy to if I wanted to, write any reviews.

In January of this year, I started a new job, and much of the same occurred.

In June I got sick again. Completely different issue, but it still has me off work and confused as to how life progress. The major difference is this time we don't really know what the issue is, how to fix it, and therefore when I might be back to "normal".

This has made me sit down and rethink life and my part in it. I have also had more time to read. I realized how much I have missed reading, and writing reviews, and writing this blog, and writing in general. I have some many partially formed stories floating around in my head, some for years. Now is the time to get them out.

Tomorrow is October 1, 2017. Tomorrow is the first day of my fresh start. Tomorrow I get back to me, and what makes me happy.

These books will shape the foundation of my next year. More books and materials will be added in as I progress along, but these will be the ones I start with, and the ones I go back to over and over again as I attempt to write my first novel.

The story that is speaking to me the loudest, oddly enough, is a romance novel. I haven't really read any romance novels in many years. In my younger years (teens) I loved them, but more recently it has been mostly horror, paranormal, fantasy, etc. So this is definitely going to be a tough haul.

One of the first things I am going to be doing is reading recent romance. I ask now if you have any good recommendations, please feel free to drop me a comment. I have created a romance list over on my Goodreads. Feel free to click over and see what I have listed to see what has sparked my interest and let me know if you have that perfect romance novel I would love.

I already have my main characters and the general plot in my head. I have started a playlist over on youtube to help me visualize the story from beginning to end through song, which is even more helpful since my main character is a bit of a karaokeaholic, but more on that later.

As for the blog, it will continue on as well. I will be bringing back old favourites like Teaser Tuesday, cover reveals, and of course, reviews.

There will also be new additions to the blog, including insights into the writing life of this hopeful author, as well as a new feature, Sister vs Sister, that will involve two-part reviews being posted by my sister and myself on books and movies that we have both enjoyed (or hated). We will also face off against each other when it comes to creative writing, each of us taking our attempts at writing prompts. Readers can vote for their favourites, and even suggest future writing prompts. And finally, we will tag team with each other on a combined story to see how we work together instead of against one another. It should all be very interesting, to say the least!

So here is to a new me, a new year, a new beginning. I hope you enjoy this journey with me as much as I will!

Afraid of the Dark

I'm still here, don't you worry your pretty little head about it. I also have two other Blogs up and running (nuts right?) so I am keeping myself very busy.

The writing is coming along very nicely. I am quite happy with the progress I am making on this trilogy. It's the most progress I have made on my writing in years.

I am still getting stuck now and then on the actual putting down of words onto the paper. I have GREAT, I mean FABULOUS ideas. They come across just as awesome in point form. But when it comes to actually writing the scene, it no longer feels as magical as it did in my head. Is this normal? I almost feel like I am murdering my story by writing it.

I think perhaps I need a little more writing practice. I think I am still a bit rusty in the ways of weaving words together. As such I think I might try my hand at some short fiction. This might help get the ink flowing.

I have scanned a few anthologies out there asking for stories and have picked my first goal. I don't actually plan on getting published in it, I just think that having an actual goal to work towards helps me better. It might not be the same for you.

So here's a question for you, as a little research...

Have you ever been scared of the dark? If so why?

Did you ever have some nasty nightmares that scared you so bad even to this day you remember them as you fight your eyes from closing?

Let's hear them! I am intrigued!

The Time Has Come...

...for me to finally get serious about writing.

I always tell people I'm a writer. I mean I used to write. I have a few stories published. I've won a writing contest or two.

But...and it's a big but (no I din't say big butt!) I haven't done any serious writing for a really long time. That's about to change.

I have this great story idea eating away at my brain, gnawing constantly like a puppy attacking his first BBQ smoked cow bone from the butcher. It's begging me to write it. I really don't care if it ever sells, if anyone else likes it, or if all the naysayers tell me it's a crappy idea.

I want to write if for me because it will make me happy, and it wants to be told. That in itself is a big flashing neon sign to me.

You are a writer.

Now write! Dumbass!

So I started reading some writing books to knock some sense back into me and get me back on track.

Currently Reading:

Book In A Month Fool Proof System For Writing A Novel In 30 Days by Victoria Lynn Schmidt

This is an interesting read so far. I don't for one millisecond think I can write a book in a month. That's not what it's about for me. For me it's just about writing. Every day you are given a task to do to help you reach your goal of completing your novel. I am have read up to the end of the first week already and am impressed by the types of tasks that are given to you.

This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley

A very short book pointing out (in very little detail) things to be aware of when writing. No tasks seem to be available.

I hope to be able to use this Blog specifically for my writing related posts as well as reviews of both non-fiction writing books and fiction books I both enjoy, and dislike. As they say, read what you want to write!

I hope you enjoy reading along. Also, feel free to share writing tips, writing books, and fiction books you think I might enjoy!