How to know if you're married to a writer.

I am a writer.

Basically, this means I am insane.

No . . . really.

On any given day ... this is what my sweet Michael is left to deal with.

This too...


Some of this.


A lot of this.


And on the really fun days: this.

I know what you're thinking ... and the answer is no.  But I am presently accepting med. recommendations.

Michael: My demonic inner voices and I love you very, very much  :)

So ... Are you a writer?

The Proverbial Novel Destroyer: S-E-X

“OH NO SHE DIDN'T!”

Oh yes, yes I absolutely did.  In the profound words of Salt N Pepa, "Let's talk about sex baby"

Where to begin. . .

This is a very hard subject to-- Oh dear, that doesn't sound right. Ahem.

Keeping abreast on all the-- Oh my! Let's try this again, shall we?

I do my best to stay on top-- Gasp.

Okay. Enough with the innuendos already. You’ve got it, right? The point I want to make, is that there is no way to casually broach the subject of sex. And for good reason. Sex, whether it be monogamous or meaningless, is never casual.  Sex impacts and affects us in the real world, so why would it be any different for our characters, who are no less real to us?

Brain Sparkle: A new writers workshop forum

We all have them...it's ok, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. You lock your keys in the car, leave your child in a shopping cart and don't realize until you get home, and you delete and re-write a perfectly good scene in your book...Brain Farts! But what do we call it when we have that magical moment, where ideas effortlessly flow to thoughts and then burst onto the page with every breath? Brain Sparkles! Now I have to admit, the area surrounding my "writer's desk" definitely smells more than it sparkles, but there is always hope right?

This forum is designed to do just that (see tab above). I always hear people talk about "digging themselves out of a hole," and to be quite honest, I feel like I'm in a hole much of my time writing. But the more I think about it, can someone really dig themselves out of a hole? Wouldn't the digging part kind of make you sink deeper? You should just stop digging now and start calling out for help! You need a rope, not a shovel, and more importantly someone on the other side to pull you out. My hope is that this forum can create many ropes attached to many other writers, so that when you find yourself in a hole, there are many more hopeful Brain Sparkles than Brain Farts.

It is a passion of mine to not be selfish with my experiences, both good and bad, and partner up with others on this bumpy road of writing. The Brain Sparkle forum can hopefully one day be a wealth of information and strategies for any writer at any stage in the process. Since today marks the conception of such a venture, it is pretty empty....actually completely empty. Partner with me in using your gifts and talents to encourage one another, and hopefully provide a place full of Brain Sparkles :-).

(Note: I will be looking for great suggestions and strategies to feature in the "Tool Shed" on the forum. This will be a condensed and easy way for others to locate specific strategies and tools. With each tool, I will feature the authors name, a mini-bio, and links to his/her website or blog)

I surrender!

I've hoisted my white flag.

Cats got my tongue, temporary finger paralysis, writer's constipation; however you want to phrase it, the simple fact is, the writing just ain't gonna happen.

Rousing two hours earlier than my usual 8:15 a.m., in order to take my quasi-carpenter brother-in-law and his cheftastic girlfriend to the airport, subsequently led to inertia creeping in around noon -- right after I flushed the last of my coffee buzz down the porcelain tornado. Good news is, I grabbed Bella, a bag of pita chips, and my favorite book and hunkered down in bed for an hour nap. Bad news is, my brain refused to wake up and is currently on strike. On a positive note, we're in negotiations with the union; however, it could still be a while.

Like most people, including my friend Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, I tend to work better with a brain. I don't have to be a psychic to know that, should I start in on edits for chapter six of Awakening Foster Kelly, I would start the following day reediting my editing. Slightly counterproductive if you ask me. What to do, what to do...

I surrender, that's what. That may sound very unwriterish of me, but you know what, I really don't care! Part of being a healthy writer means you know when to give yourself a break. Your creativity is your friend. You treat it like a slave and eventually that whip'll turn around and slap you right in the face. So, if the words don't be a flowin', then off to the beach, library, cupboard beneath the stairs, you need to be a goin'. Anywhere you're not tempted to have another round in the ring with your laptop. Don't worry, it will be waiting right where you left when you get back. But isn't that part of the process, you ask? Pushing through the block and putting it down on the page anyway? Yes. But even Muhammad Ali, three time heavyweight boxing champion, knew better than to fight injured and risk permanent damage to his God-given gift. It's no different for the writer. Instead of a broken nose, fractured ribs, or a concussion, you'll sustain a broken heart, fractured self-esteem, or despondency.

If you love it that much, know when to say, "that's enough." 

And I'll tell you now, if you haven't been able to do more than give your cursor a thorough voyage on the stagnant sea of white paper, it's time you anchor down and jump ship. Okay.. enough boxing and sailing analogies. My point is ( I say this alot, don't I?) your brain needs some downtime. And no... writing in your head doesn't count as downtime. That's right. I see you. Put the mouse down and back away slowly.

You'll thank me later.