Vacationing… Part 2

Tags

camping, family, fireside reading, hiking, Kayaking, vacation

EEEEEKKK!!! We are on our way to the UP! For those of you who don’t know it stands for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan! We will make the eight or so hour drive up to our campsite where we will meet up with my parents and sister and her family!

We will be staying near Pictured Rocks State park!

I have never been there, but it looks gorgeous! Camping (No tent this time! We’ll be in our trailer that we convert to sleeping quarters after taking out the kayaks and motorcycle). Hiking. Kayaking. Reading by the fire. General fun with my family. And s’mores. LOTS OF S’MORES!

We are getting away! No wifi. No work. ALL FUN!

Everyone needs time like that! To recharge. To relax. To smile and be carefree.

Have a great weekend! I will send positive vibes out into the world.

Vacationing… Part 1

Tags

family, in-laws, vacation

Psst… I’m not really here.

I am visiting my in-laws on the first part of our summer vacation. My hubs did a good thing. He put out a call to his parents and sister for them to all get together in one place. Everyone is getting older and being together is a fabulous thing. It’s family. Our older two nephews and hub’s brother-in-law won’t be able to make it and we will miss them. I will chat with my niece and nephews and take time to read… because two books needs reviews… TWO! Maybe in there get some work done on planning Doors 2. Maybe.

But no wifi! Nope. My in-laws don’t have a computer and have no need to reach out into the interwebs. *shrug* I don’t know. So I will miss my Twitter and FB friends!

But during our stay I get to meet up with a fellow writer and Twitter friend! Heather!!!! I love her, you should too. So… BONUS!

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, have a great time!

Midwest Writers Workshop!!!!!!

Tags

conferences, learning, marketing, Midwest Writers' Workshop, networking, writers workshops, writing

Hi all!

I am on my way to Muncie, Indiana for the Midwest Writers Workshop… #MWW15!!!

If you remember last year, I was a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing. So many people. So many authors, some published, some agented, some still hopeful. All the information… queries, synopsis, marketing, writing good characters, plot structures…

How would I ever fit into this world of publishing? HOW? I should just quit! What am I doing? Poor Past-me…

Since then, I had two storied published in an anthology and signed with a publisher (the best publisher EVER) with my YA fantasy DOORS!

So, this year I return a little more prepared for what I will encounter, for all the information to be crammed into my brain. And will listen with extra special care to all the marketing information.

AND TO HAVE A SUPER-DUPER TIME MEETING TONS OF FRIENDS I HAVE MADE ON TWITTER! The cool kids are allowing me to hang out with them! Me!

Writers conferences are fabulous. And as I wander further into the world of publishing I will do my best to put myself out there- as scary as that it. Luckily, authors are a marvelous group of people. I am proud to be counted as one of them… part of the crew, part of the ship.

That was a little creepy… anyway, have a fabulous weekend! I will!

Impostor Syndrome

Tags

Afterworlds, feeling like a fraud, Impostor syndrome, Scott Westerfeld, when reading exposes a part of yourself, why we are the way we are

I just finished reading AFTERWORLDS by Scott Westerfeld.

I’ve read almost everything he’s written and loved it all. This book was no exception. And it taught me something along the way, peeled back a layer of me and said… LOOK! Think about this.

In Afterworlds, eighteen-year-old Darcy Patel’s book is being published. Insert me being slightly jealous, because I didn’t even know I wanted to write until I was 31. I wanted to hate her for reaching that goal so young. But I couldn’t. I liked her.

Why? Because she was me. We may be worlds apart in age, but we share the same experience. Like me, she’s waiting for edit notes, waiting to be published, waiting to become the author she hopes she can be. All the while feeling like a fraud, wondering when everyone will figure out she doesn’t belong with them.

Imposter syndrome. It’s a thing.

Wikipedia.org defines impostor syndrome as “a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments. Despite external evidence of their competence, those with the syndrome remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve the success they have achieved. Proof of success is dismissed as luck, timing, or as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent and competent than they believe themselves to be.”

Holy crud. This. And it applies to so many people. And now I can name what’s going on in my head. Not that it having a name stops the thoughts from crowding in my mind and taking over.

“Wow! Kathy! Look at your stories in this beautiful anthology!”

“Kathy! You’re getting a book published!”

And cue me hiding. Why did these things happen? Luck? Yup, a little. Mostly, people are being nice to me. And then I get a story rejected and BAM! See? I’m not good enough.

Yet logically, I know these thoughts are… WRONG-O! I do! Kinda.

My mind whispers that my book won’t be published. I made the whole thing up (then I re-read the e-mail and flail all over again). BUT… The publishers might change their minds. And when it is a book? When I hold that thing in my hand?

From…

to…

to…

and finally…

But will the feeling of being a fraud go away? I doubt it.

And that’s okay.

I’ll keep writing. Doing the best I can, constantly surprised when things like publishing happen. And I’ll enjoy the ride. And when I’m exposed for the fraud I am, no biggie. I already knew.

For all people out there with thoughts like these. It’s a thing. Embrace it. And KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO! I’m here with you.

 

 

The Incredible Changing World of Mom

Tags

babies, being a mom, childhood doesn't last forever, kids, making memories, playing with your kids, toddlers, video games

So being a mom is a strange thing. The thought that I am someone’s mother kinda freaks me out a bit. Let’s be honest, I can barely take care of myself. And, yes, my kids know this.

Motherhood changes. At first there’s this little human who can do nothing for themselves and are totally dependent on you. Then they learn how to get around on their own, feed themselves, and ask for things… if not completely in an understandable language at first. But as toddlers, they still NEED their mom (or dad, I am not leaving you guys out, just going on my own experience of being the primary child whatever-er).

Kids begin to figure out that they have their own minds, full of their own ideas and fabulousness. When baby gates stop being barriers and become mere obstacles.

AND OMG MOM LOOK I HIT MY HEAD ON THE CEILING FAN BECAUSE I LEANED MY MATRESS AGAINST THE DRESSER AND CLIMBED UP AND JUMPED OFF!!!! WOW MOM!!!!

AND HOLY MOLY WE JUST SPREAD PAINT ALL OVER THE EXTRA ROOM! AREN’T WE SIMPLY THE MOST CREATIVE KIDS EVER?

WOW COME LOOK MOM AT HOW THE DRESSER FELL ON MY SISTER WHEN WE OPENED THE BOTTOM DRAWER AND SHE SAT IN IT!

Those are the years that nearly killed me. The PLAY WITH US EVERY SECOND years… for if you turn your back on us we will destroy the world years.

Then we moved into the elementary school years. And I could breathe. Not sure how we made it, but we did. We could have actual conversations. We had fun.

Now my son just turned 14 and my daughter will turn 13 next month. In the last few years, they need me less and less… it has become more of a…

MOM, WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

MOM, DO I HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE TODAY?

MOM, I NEED NEW CLOTHES BECAUSE ALL MINE ARE TOO SMALL!

But mostly, they hang out in their rooms. They sit with their iPod, iPad, computer, Nook, or a good old fashioned book. Which is fine. I like my quiet time. I LOVE THAT MY KIDS IGNORE ME! I have trained them well.

But every once in a while, magic happens.

Yesterday, my daughter said, “Mom, do you want to play Lego Harry Potter on the Wii?”

Play with me? What?

WHY YES YES I DO!

Today, both kids asked me to play Mario Kart with them.

YES I WILL!!!! I will lose all the races and it will be fabulous. Those blog posts I have to write? They will wait. That world-building I have to finish? It’s not going anywhere.

For when the opportunity to hang out with my kids arises I do not say no. I can’t say no. Because unlike all the housework and even my writing, my kids won’t wait, not forever. Before I know it, they’ll be going to college… someday moving out!

AND THEN WHO WILL PLAY WITH ME?

Overall, I am lucky. No screaming matches, there hasn’t been door slamming. Doesn’t mean there won’t ever be, but I’ll take what I can get. My kids think I’m pretty cool, and I think they’re pretty cool.

So whenever they ask me to do something with them… the answer is always yes. Even when they do laugh at how terrible I am at Mario Kart, or when my Lego Hermione or Ironman runs willy-nilly across the screen as I yell, “I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO!” Heck, I laugh at me.

Cheers to good memories.

And if you’ll excuse me, I have to go write my post for The Midnight Society that goes up tomorrow…

 

 

Writing vs. Being a Writer

Tags

being a writer, CPs, critique, editing, jobs, learning, publishing, thoughts, writing

Writing. Being a writer.

What does it mean? Because when I started writing (aka… typing words about stuff that I made up in my twisted brain) about eleven years ago, I had NOT A CLUE.

There’s writing. You sit. You type words. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Easy. And that makes you a writer. Yup. I buy this.

And you can do this forever. Sit. Write. Sit. Write… for all time.

But there’s this other level of ‘being a writer’. A writer’s job is not what I first believed.

Above all, a writer writes. There is much sitting and pondering and possibly weeping… There is much planning and plotting and the occasional urge to chuck a computer out the window. There is excitement, which turns to frustration, which can cause mass consumption of (insert junk food of choice here).

As I take bigger, more confident steps into the world of being a writer, of being published, I have learned that the job requires SO MUCH MORE.

I focus on my own works, my manuscripts. Character development. World building. Finding and destroying filter words, passive voice, and making the words the best they can be.

I help other people with their words. Critiques are a huge part of a writer’s work. I am part of a writers’ group in town and a Skype group. I have numerous CPs and spend hours reading and commenting on others’ manuscripts. I love it! And hope I help a little.

Maintaining a presence on social media… blog, FB, GR, Twitter… all help get your name out into the world. Because, marketing… my least favorite part of the job. However, on the flipside, I LOVE spreading the word about books, new or old! Cover reveals. Release days.

(By the way… FINDING IMMORTAL book 2 in the Bearwood series in out TODAY! Just FYI…)

*whistles* Anyway…

Reading. Probably safe to say, one of the best things about this job. And of course after you finish a book… leave a review.

And the biggest part? Waiting. For rejections. For acceptance. For edit notes. For contracts. For big announcement days. For everything. With self-pubbing there is less of this. For people working with agents, editors, and publishers… we wait. A lot. It’s hard.

An author’s job is never done. Once you get a project off, there’s always another lurking in your mind ready to pounce. Writing. Editing. Querying. Reading. Everything sucks our life force dry!

Well, that was dramatic.

As I set foot on the path to publication, I prepare myself for the learning of all the things. And the kinda doing well and failing miserably parts.

Possibly you should shoot me now.

Guest posting on blogs… working with an editor (I am not worried about this cause she’s awesome!)… working with a cover designer (who is also fabulous! So no worries)… and so much about marketing that my head might explode. Luckily, the team (more like a family) at Reuts Publications to help me when I fall on my face. Cause I will.

For all of us out there being writers… I am proud to say we are some of the most supportive people in the world. This job we’ve chosen (some people with day jobs of doom to contend with too) is not an easy one. There’s so much more to do than simply write. All of it takes time, energy, and a love of what we do.

LOVE IT!

DO IT!

WRITERS UNITE!

 

I’m NOT Setting Goals… No One Can Make Me!

Tags

comparing to others, fear, goals, imagination, joy, living without goals, panic, stress, thoughts, writing

So I recently posted about getting into better habits. My brain immediately screamed…

SET DAILY GOALS!

MAKE A SCHEDULE!

PLAN YOUR LIFE!

FOCUS!

Wait… NO! Are you kidding, brain? We’ve tried this before. Do you want me to end up completely bonkers?

But… there are people, you’ve seen the posts on Twitter about goals to write 2K words a day. You’ve seen the people who write 5K (even 10K) words a day! You see all the people out there burning through their ms with passion, with gusto, with fabulous speed and brilliance! You’ve seen the people who have a schedule and get up at strange hours like 5am (seriously though I don’t think that time exists) and write words! Don’t you want to be like them?

Well…

Don’t you want to push past this fear you have of new words and write all the things you have in your head?

Well…

PLAN! SCHEDULE! GOALS!

(I do realize I had a conversation with myself right here, so thank you for attending Kathy-Talks-To-Herself Theater… showtimes vary, but happen everyday.)

*ahem* *straightens T-shirt*

I admire everyone with word count goals. I admire the writers who can get up early and add words. I have been falling into the void of LOOK-AT-THAT-PERSON-THEY-ARE-BETTER-THAN-ME-I-MUST-BE-FAILING. This is dangerous ground.

If I tell myself that I must write so many words a day… I panic.

If I make a schedule and something happens to derail it… I panic.

If I plan my life… I panic.

Believe me. No one wants that.

Relax, me! Things will work out. I will get back to writing and do my thing and all will be well. For some reason my personality does not allow plans or goals. I put extra stress on myself (perhaps a bit of that darn perfectionist) and get nothing done.

This ms is going so slow. I am having issues with the put butt in chair and write action. This bothers me! Why? Why can’t I do this? I like… heck, I love this writing thing!

BAH!

When I sat, stopped yelling at myself, and looked at the problem, I found an answer. I haven’t lived in my worlds long enough. I haven’t had lengthy conversations with my characters (old and new). This Darkness thing… there’s history it hasn’t revealed to me yet. There’s characters I need to meet, and worlds I need to explore. So I’m going back to brainstorming, writing all the ideas, creating a calendar, maybe sketching, and living in the worlds of my imagination.

My imagination is a happy place, even if it does contain a bit of creepiness. I will find my joy there. And when those good feelings fill me, I’ll write it all down in a spectacularly rough and crappy first draft. Just as it should be.

Yes, thank you, Hogwarts! They know brilliance happens in revisions.

But no daily goals. I’ll get done what I get done without stress.

Life is too short to live it in a spiky bubble of YOU MUST, at least for me. No plans. No goals. No self-imposed schedule. Just me and what I do, when I do it.

 

 

 

What Is It With the Kissing Books? Geez.

Tags

books, kissing scenes, no rules, rules, sex, Young adult

If anyone knows me, they know I’m not big on kissing, on romancy schmancy stuff, but it is everywhere.

Everywhere.

Now, don’t get me wrong, a good love story can always make me smile, kissing and sex scenes all have their place.

But they’re not my favorite.

Maybe I’ve been jaded by too many of those scenes that felt forced or not realistic… I don’t know. Possibly there’s more to life than kissing?

Don’t give me that look. It’s just my opinion. Remember? I talked about this… You don’t have to agree with me.

So writing about romance and kissing aren’t my thing. But, Kathy, you write YA… isn’t there supposed to be relationships, aka kissing?

Supposed to be? Nah.

For one, I’m not going to force love on my characters because I think I have to. Do you know how much that would make my ms suck? A lot.

Two… I have written kissing. I have written crushes. Devin in Faerie Wind has a crush, and she’s too much of a fraidy cat to do anything, well, until she starts turning into a faerie and, well, magical confidence happens. Kim in Fate’s Mistake suddenly confessed to me that she had feelings for her best friend. I said, “What? Are you nuts? You have a puzzle to solve to change the future and you like him?”

Well, she kissed him.

So, I can do it, if the situation arises. But I don’t go into a story with romance in mind. But, Kathy, teens… they like that.

Sure. I suppose. But not all of them. As a teenager, I didn’t date. I didn’t focus on boys or kissing. Heck, boys scared me. I had no idea who I was, I didn’t need any more problems.

There’s more to life than kissing. There’s more to life than the hot boy or girl in Calculus class. There is learning about yourself, learning to believe in yourself, learning to love yourself. These are all YA themes.

Someone asked if there would be a love interest in my sequel to Doors. Right now, my answer is no. I have no plans for kissing. However, as I’m writing, if Bryn decides to pull out the I-think-I-love-him(or her) card, I will roll with it. She is eighteen after all… I fell in love at eighteen.

I have no problem with sex in YA. I have no problem with kissing and relationships (bad or good ones). All this happens in real life. Teens face all sorts of choices, of situations. Fiction should reflect that. But when it comes to the kissing stuff, I am not the one to write it.

There are no supposed to’s here. There are just words and feelings. There are people and the stories they have to share. Let’s celebrate that there are no rules, that we can write what we want. Really, it’s a good thing we all have a different way of telling those stories or books would be mighty boring.

 

The Great Habit War

Tags

bad habits, be better, god habits, habits, just do it, writing

First of all, who read that title as the Hobbit war? *snort* Cause that’s what I saw after I typed it.

Anywhoooo… onward with the topic!

Habits are strange creatures. Some you want. Some you don’t. Some you try to get rid of and others you try desperately to trap and keep.

Webster’s Dictionary says a habit is a thing done often and, hence, easily, or a usual way of doing. It’s a way of living. There are bad habits, take my munching on all the food I can find late at night. There are good habits such as brushing my teeth twice a day, everyday.

Funny, when I went to write a good habit, I paused, struggling to think of one. However, the bad? A list formed immediately in my head. And to top that off, I thought of a bucket load of habits I wish I had.

Habits are things of our own creation. The ones we have, we have to work to keep. The ones we want, we have to fight into submission. The ones we don’t want, we must battle with swords. But that weapon better be sharp, because those little devils can have a firm grip.

 

Writers write. As simple as that. And we all write at our own pace. Seriously, I see tweets of people who wrote 5K words that day or a ‘mere 2K’… not to mention those that write 10K a day.

Truth? That makes me feel incredibly inadequate.

And not because I didn’t write that many words, but because I let the day go by without writing any. And why did I allow this? Fear to open the document? Yup… a little.

But really? That habit of writing has fled. I neglected it.

*pauses to let everyone yell at me or shake their heads… and give general looks of disapproval*

I am not happy with me. I have words I want to write, that I am even excited to write, but I don’t do it.

And that’s what it comes down to. JUST DO IT.

Create the habits that will give you that warm feeling of accomplishment, that will make you a better person. And, for me, that procrastination habit… that “Hey, look cookies, I’ll just eat a few (hundred)… that oh, well, it’s already noon, I don’t need to workout… all those habits that hold me back? Yeah, they need to go.

It’s going to be a fight. That JUST DO IT phrase is short and sweet, it looks simple, but it isn’t, especially for someone like me who gets pretty comfy in my ruts.

Create the life you want. Find the strength to let go of the bad habits that bring you down and grab onto the habits that will make you soar.

Because soaring is what we were put on this Earth to do!