Skipping Along the Path I have Chosen

Tags

choices, deciding, doubt, frustration, thoughts, writing, writing paths

In the world of writing and publishing, there are so many choices, so many paths to take.

Get an agent and try traditional publishing with the big houses or small presses.

Don’t get an agent and query small presses or self-publish.

And one is no better or worse than the others.

Choose the path that speaks to you, the road that is a right fit. Only you can know which way to go. And there is nothing wrong with changing your mind and carving a new path.

As you travel your road, find friends to support you, because each way is full of waiting and doubt and frustration and excitement…a roller coaster of emotion. Find people who will stand by you, cheering you on as you go, people who will never add to the frustration and doubt, people who will be there to remind you that you are doing what you want, doing what feels right.

Listen to your heart. Follow it.

I chose to sub to small presses. No agent, just me and my words. I signed with a small press, the one I wanted, the one that clicked with my wants, the one that spoke to me. The publishing process has been long, a lot of waiting. Some frustration. It’s been a ride, but every choice has its ups and downs. Never have I regretted signing with them. Never. This is right for me and my ms.

Through all my waiting, I have had to defend my decision. I have had people tell me I was wrong. I have had people warn me of impending doom, that I would be lost, forgotten. They did it because they care (I think)…they want the best for me and my words. I would smile and nod, and on the inside SCREAM. Scream at how I have chosen my path and am happy with my decision. So you aren’t happy with my decision…I DON’T CARE WHY MUST I EXPLAIN MYSELF I AM AN ADULT AND AM OKAY!

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I am happy with my choice therefore everything will be fine, it will be better than fine. IT WILL BE AWESOME!

No matter your intention, no matter how much you care, continuing to tell people what they should have chosen, how their choice will lead to bad things will hurt that person.

Be there with a smile. There is already doubt and frustration, adding to that will not help.

You would choose a different path? Go choose it…for you and not anyone else.

If they face the choice and are looking for help, tell your story, tell why you chose what you did, explain the positives and negatives that you have experienced along the way. Then let them take the information and do what they will.

When a decision is made, it’s made for a reason, a valid and perfectly acceptable reason, one that makes sense to that person. This is always the right decision, no defending or explaining is required. If doubt surfaces, encourage the exploration of other roads, not how to fix it. (seriously, that is my hubs, I want to strangle him)

There is no right or wrong in a personal decision.

In writing and in life, when someone has chosen a path, support them and we will be a stronger community, stronger people.

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What Happened to Monday?

Tags

cheer, Christmas, decorating, frustration, joy, lights, season of light, shopping, spirit of Christmas, thoughts

Yes, I usually post on Mondays.

But Monday went all kerbobbled and threw me in a choke hold. How?

Well, on Sunday I was happily lighting my living room tree when… duh duh, duuuunnnn, I ran out of lights. Of course. Happens every year.

So Monday, I got my kids to school, then plopped myself on the couch with a desire to watch Christmas movies. But, how can one watch movies full of holiday cheer when the tree stands unfinished? One cannot.

“I’ll blog later,” I think.

“I’ll get the workout in later,” I tell myself.

“Right now, I’ll go get lights to finish the prelim decorating so when the kids get home all the ornaments can go on!” I say. “Besides, I haven’t really started Christmas shopping, perhaps I can get a few things. And the wreath outside needs new lights anyway.”

Store number one… did not have the lights I wanted. O.o  But I did find a couple of presents for my daughter. Win!

Second store… Check for food for writer’s group Christmas party. Check off a few more presents … AND LIGHTS! BAM!

Triumphant, I return home. Where the puppy whines at me to play, so I throw the Frisbee a few times, then go inside to tackle the tree.

Wrong lights. See in the land of LED lights there is white, pure white with a blue tint, and there is white, with a warm glow. My tree has warm white, these were not.

“Really?” I cry with a defeated slump in my shoulders.

Back to store number two. I return the lights and head to store number three… LIGHTS!

I drive all the way home… throw the Frisbee for the puppy… and pull the strand out of the box, plug it in… they blink.

“What?” I stare at the box, which has the word “twinkling” printed clearly across the top. I cried.

Really? Kathy? Cried? They’re lights. Christmas is about more than silly lights.

Of course, it is. It’s about that unicorn I’ve been asking Santa for since I was six.

Well, yes and no. Decorating for Christmas is a big deal for me. I have three trees, outside lights, my Santa’s village, statues, garland, and ribbon.

Why?

Because it is the season of light. The cheery glow from my house fills me with joy. I am lighting the way for the spirit of Christmas. For peace. For love. For acceptance. For all the Earth to celebrate each other and what we can do to make the world better.

So I went back to store three and exchanged the twinkling lights for non-twinkling lights. At home, I played with the puppy, who by then was desperate for attention, and took my victory inside. The clock had reached 3pm. The kids would be home at 4. And to top it all off, the wreath I thought would be a snap to relight, wasn’t. I bought a pre-lit wreath, why? Did you know they clamp the lights onto the branches? What a pain in my rear.

But I got the tree lit, the ribbon on it, and the angel placed on top before the kids came home. I did get the wreath lit, it looks great.

The kids and I hung our treasured ornaments, filling the tree with memories. Suddenly, it was 5 pm… we had to leave at 6 for my kids’ religious education class.

Dinner? What’s that?

A shower! I needed a shower.

We returned for the evening around 8. I was dead.

But the tree is gorgeous. Wanna see what I have been up to last week? Or at least some of it. The decorations are finished!

The kitchen tree (8′ artificial), holding all my fairies, unicorns, and purple.

Santa’s village.

The family room tree (10′ artificial) covered with all things Star Trek, Star Wars, and my TARDIS. Next to my new fireplace!

The living room tree (9′ REAL tree, baby!) filled with memories.

However you celebrate, CELEBRATE! One light or a bajillion lights, it’s all good. Between all the decorating and shopping, be sure to light you heart for that’s where Christmas can be found.