Writers Write. The End. But Also the Beginning....

I’m still coming off the whirlwind high of this weekend’s Writers Digest Conference.  It was exhausting and exhilarating and inspiring and interesting and overwhelming and makes me want to write my ass off and also makes me feel like I’ve wasted so much time not writing and squandered away too many days watching reruns of Murder, She Wrote and Castle and convincing myself it’s all in the name of research.  Or I lose countless time trying to find a good celeb haircut picture to bring to my new hairdresser on Saturday so I don’t come out looking like crap because I can’t articulate how I want to look even at this stage in my life. 

So now my head is spinning with all the things I want to do….I need to do:

• Start voraciously editing “The Legacy”.
• And at the same time read the fabulous new book I bought, “Blueprint Your Bestseller” by Stuart Horowitz, to learn how to edit and revise my way to success. 
• Actually use my Twitter account that I’ve never posted one character to, never mind 140 characters. 
• It goes without saying that I need to start following people on Twitter to get them to follow me and build my platform (which was often looked at as a 4-letter word this weekend) so when the time comes, more than friends and family will be interested in buying my book (knock on wood!!!).
• Figure out a better way to use Facebook.
• And figure out how to promote this blog. 
• Which means create more blog content so my five followers have something to read.  (And if you’re one of those five, tell your friends…repost me…spread the good word….please!!!!!!!  I’m only half kidding btw.  By which I mean not even kidding at all.)
• Read my Donald Maass books.  (His session was amazing!!!)
• Diversify.  Word is that’s the key.  You need to do more than books.  Or just articles.  Or just. one. thing.
• So now I have to research websites and brainstorm and write some more.

And on and on it goes. I don’t even know where to begin, but I’m so anxious to start going, but here I am, kind of frozen with all my choices.  My head is literally spinning.

But what it all boils down to is this – writers write.  It’s that simple.  It’s like eating well and working out will help get you and keep you in shape.  Duh!  We get it.  We know it.  But it’s still one of the hardest things for us to do.  I somehow procrastinate from the things I do want to do deep down...that I like to do.  (Though some days I do really hate running.  Like a lot.)  

So that of course begs the question of why do I sometimes avoid the one thing I love.  That I say I love.  That I want to do.  To write.  It's what it's all about.  

But here's the thing.  Writers write.

And I’ll keep saying it over and over.  Writing it over and over.  Reminding myself over and over. 

WRITERS WRITE.

One of the last speakers I saw yesterday told us to take a week…let it all sink in…don’t try to get it all done in the next few hours or next few days, which is of course the natural instinct. I was all gangbusters that I would do Camp NaNoWriMo in April, which is another chance to knock out 50,000 words and reboot my writing…looks like I’ll be waiting for the July Camp, seeing as how it’s April 8^th and while I did actually get some ideas down over the course of the weekend, I’m definitely not in a 50,000 word state of mind.

So for now, I’m reading over my notes.  Being pretty amazed by it all.  Letting my mind run wild. 

And channeling the advice of all the amazing people I met and saw this weekend:

• Write to quota.  Commit to a certain number of words, not hours, a week.
• Embrace the weirdness.
• We resist the parts of our book that are weakest. Confront them and work on them.
• Embrace patience.
• Or its cousin, stubbornness.
• Write through the block.
• Write without fear.
• Go to the bookstore – the cathedral of books.  And pray.
• Become part of a writing community.
• Writers write.

I could go on and on. If I could transcribe Adriana Trigiani and Tayari Jones’s entire speeches I would.  But instead I’ll leave you with this…whether you’re a writer or not, I hope it resonates in some way:

“The energy you put out there is the energy you get back…Once you commit to lighting your passion, doors will open for you.” – T.J.

“You’re not defeated.  You just haven’t been found yet.  Persist.” – A.T.

Five For Friday

It's been a long week.  Having Monday off is great. Yet oddly, in some ways, that seems to make Tuesday - Friday that much worse.  Which kind of takes the fun out of having Monday off.  Not quite a chicken and an egg situation, but just one of those things, that takes up too much space in my mind.

And on top of that, I'm going to be that girl, who chooses to live on the east coast, and who gets all "wah....boo....ugh....wtf....blah.....bleck.....bitch.....moan....bitch" because it's cold and windy and snowy.  In January.

And I have to wear mittens and hats and two scarves and lots of layers and bought new snow boots.  (which btw are so warm and fuzzy)  But the cold!  The bone-chilling, face-hurting, I-said-brrrrrrr!-it's-cold-in-here kind of cold.

I know.  DUH!  That's what happens in January.  It's called winter.  It's been going on for decades.  It's the four seasons.  This is not a fluke of Mother Nature.  This is just how the world turns.  (which, btw, I miss that soap...Craig and Sierra and Holden and Lily rocked!).

But, baby, it's like really, really cold outside.  And the turning of the world has knocked me on my ass this week.  So before I crawl under the covers, here's the five things I can muster, because no matter how busy or tired or cold I am....I'm trying my best to keep on track here.  Writers write.

#1: 

I've been this before and it popped up on my tumblr feed tonight.  Sometimes I feel like the universe is sending me a message and the timing is right.

#2:

The universe also deals me some messages I don't want.  But that's the balance this Libra comes to expect.  And strives for.  I'm in the self-imposed spend freeze just because.  It's like eating well after a stint of eating like crap.  Balance.  But then I found this dress I've been lusting on ebay.  In my size.  And I was so close.  (Or maybe not, because I was only willing to pay so much for an "excellent used condition" dress.)  But my competition was willing to keep going.  And I lost.

That's the universe telling me that Hello!  You are on a spending freeze!  And your friendly universe here is not going to let you break it.  No eBay wins for you!

(grumble....curse....rats....that sucks)

And a few hours later the moment of clarity (or the rationalization).  That dress was not my fate.


#3:

SAG Awards on Sunday.  Red Carpet.  Fashion.  Awards.  Eventual tears over the acceptance speeches I'm sure.  Oh how I love awards season.  Cannot wait to see who they're wearing.  And who wins.  Kind of at a loss for why Lena Dunham isn't at this party, but that's my obsession talking.  Least there's Jon Hamm to look forward to.  (yes, please)

Also fairly certain I need to work that free Showtime and start watching Homeland because  they win everything.  And apparently it's great.  Stay tuned.

#4:

The conversation is underway.  For Paris.  In the summer.  This may trump the Lean obsession for now. I can't wait to go back.  Time to lock in some dates!!!!

#5:

I didn’t actually get to see the Matt Damon takeover of Jimmy Kimmel last night but I’ve seen enough clips to get the sense it was pretty damn funny.  And that of course made me think of this video, which I still think is some total comedy genius. It also doubles as my song.  BAM!

Less-than-manic this Monday!

So Monday’s are far less manic when it’s a free Monday. Which is what today is. I haven’t had MLK as a holiday in like ever.  So today feels like a free pass. Almost like I’m playing hooky but my work email isn’t pinging every five minutes so I don’t have to feel guilty about not looking at it. (Even though I brought home a pile of work to do which is taunting me from my dining room table.)

So earlier today, I was group texting with the ladies like we’re wont to do, relaying the plays for the day.  My “to do” list was quite long and according to one of my friends, rather ambitious.  And it’s not like I ever quite get it all done – ever – but I’m back to the “if I build it he will come” of things in that “if I say I’m going to do it, I’ll do it.  Eventually.  One day.  Maybe today.  Maybe not so much today, but tomorrow or next weekend.”  And I say that since most weeknights I make all sorts of deals with myself and all the things I’ll get done over the weekend or all the things I could get done during the week if I could just magically be financially independent and quit my job and suddenly have 24 hours a day that were mine MINE!!!!

But then I wake up from that fantasy and do my damndest to knock a few things off the life list.  Today wasn’t all bad – finished my book, did yoga, made some actually food for lunch that will totally have a second coming tomorrow as leftovers for lunch which means I don’t have to buy it or make something new. Win. Win.

But what I really need to do, that I’ve been half-assing for months is put some clothes back on eBay.  I’ve dipped a toe in that pool and made some decent money. But it takes time.  (Yes.  I know I technically just had three whole days.)  And it takes some commitment.  (You have to follow it at least daily in case there are questions or people actually pick the “Buy It Now” option.).  And I have to photograph my clothes and try to come up with some quippy little descriptions that will garner some attention and get people to buy my things.  Truth is, since I’m in the self-imposed spend freeze (minus those winter boots from Zappos last night, but that’s necessity because it’s winter and the lining of my boots decided to kick the bucket in January….asshole boots.  Can boots be assholes?).

Moving on….I saw a dress that I wanted.  Desperately. It was on What Not To Wear and like most anything that I want…the obsession develops…and want turn into must have.  In this case, the dress was of course sold out everywhere, because the show was taped months ago.  But then I found it….on eBay.  Now the new me…the spend-freeze me….sleeps on things. Tries not to be impulsive.  Tries to weigh the pros and cons and not have the instant gratification trigger finger.  Mind you this is much easier when I do not have a glass of wine in my hand. Or three already coursing through my veins. 

I am very proud to say I slept on this dress, so to speak, for almost a week.  And then I decided it was worth it.  Let’s hope I’m right and that it looks as good on me as I’m hoping it will. (And that it's a little longer than it appears to be on this girl.)  But that’s what led me back down this path of eBay.  Sell more. Buy more.  And of course there’s this JCrew dress circa 2010 that’s popped up….on auction.  And a JCrew collection skirt from 2008.  Same deal.  And good prices.  And like any good junkie I want them!  NOW!  I feel like this is fate…destiny…karma…every star aligned for me.  Good pricing.  My sizing.  The fashion gods are sending me a sign. 

That should be motivation enough.  But then I popped in my Netflix movie so I can drop it in the mail tomorrow.  (Anyone for Pitch Perfect?)  Nothing saps my energy like a movie…. especially when I opt to paint my toenails, which means I’m locked to the couch for fear of screwing them up. One might say I do that on purpose. One would be right.

And now it’s starting to get dark out and the reality that tomorrow exists is starting to set in. And Sunday blues come a day late.  Big sigh.  But trying to turn the ‘tude around and keep snatching great lines from tumblr and looking at them over and over until it penetrates.  Here’s hoping!

And one little gripe before I go.  So PP was entertaining for what it was.  Love to sing along.  And while I love me a “Preview” feature before a movie, I’m equally excited about the “Special Features” that come along with the DVD.  So….I have to say if they are an option…and you click on them…and get this big-ass error message that says “this DVD is for rental purposes only and buy the real DVD if you want to actually see these special features we are teasing you with”.

Damn you, Netflix. It’s like you know I’m breaking up with you at the end of the month because your DVD program doesn’t do it for me anymore.  And because I’m getting two movie channels now (Showtime for free and HBO for Girls. And $15.) and while they are mostly filled with crap I will never watch, I don’t need DVD rentals collecting dust next to my To Do list.  Just saying.

Time to get back to it.  Or maybe take a manic-free-day nap.  That sounds so much better to me…..

And if you didn't see this video coming, then you really need to go back and read this blog from the beginning...this is what I live for.

Where There's Life, There's Hope. And Hopefully Lots of Writing!

Someone in my Facebook circle posted a link to this column by Regina Brett.  It’s from a few years back, but I’m always game for some life lessons…..some perspective….and a persistent reminder that writers, write.  And not only on Wednesday’s.

From #18 and everything before and after…..hope you can find some inspiration or solace or truth or an a-ha moment!  Or maybe it'll just kill five minutes.  Either way, happy list reading!

45 Life Lessons and 5 To Grow On:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15.  Get rid of anything that isn’t useful.  Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

That's life for you.  And of course, that means there's a song.

"It's funny how I find myself in love with you....it's my life!"