Reaching The Top

I have just completed my line edit and I can’t believe how light I feel.  It reminds me of my trip to Haleakala National Park in Maui where I stood on the top of Haleakala Crater, one of the world’s highest mountains, a dormant volcano. 

I could have sat there all day just feeling its energy.  I can feel that same energy right now. 

Even thought I still have work to do to complete my novel and get it out there, I can take a full breath and look around at an amazing accomplishment.  I can look back and appreciate the journey to get here because the journey is just as important as the destination. 

Both Haleakala and Galloway make me feel like a part of something bigger than myself.

 
  

Let's Start Over

Who am I?  What do I have to say?

    They say you need a web presence, a following, a platform.  How do you do that when you haven’t published anything?  I don’t have stacks of writing (yet) that I can reference to, comment on or give sneak peeks into so what can I write about?  What can I say that can possibly compete with thousands of other blogs vying for your attention? 

     I’ve decided to make my blog about my adventures in becoming a writer.  I was in a memoir writing workshop when the idea hit me.  I don’t plan to write a memoir but I journal about events in my life and thought this workshop may help me dig a little deeper.  That’s when I realized that my life is more like a bathroom reader, full of short stories where you get little glimpses into my life, glimpses like my National Lampoon’s Christmas.  That was the year I sat on the floor Christmas morning crying over my frozen turkey, cursing Martha Stewart, while my husband tried not to laugh.  One of my girls was upset over a present she didn’t get from someone she didn’t even like and in true National Lampoon form, the cat chewed through the Christmas tree lights on the brand new pre-lit Christmas tree.  It took a few hours to find her, the whole time I was convinced she was dead under a piece of furniture while trying to be the perfect hostess to my guests. 

     Maybe my short stories will spark a memory of your own, help you avoid my predicament of the moment, or just give you a little laugh during a hectic day.    

     So, time to get started.  I am off to capture my experience of a week spent in Fredericton at the Maritime Writer’s Workshop.  Hope to see you "there". 

ComingTo Life

     After two and a half days of reading and rereading, I spent yesterday playing a little.  I really enjoyed formatting my manuscript, maybe it’s the organizer in me but it was quite satisfying to watch it take shape.   I had to do a little research but now it’s done!  I also played with photos I thought would look good for the cover and the text on the back.  It made for a great break.
     It really is incentive to see your manuscript come to life and look like the real thing.  I'm sure this feeling can only manifest itself into something good. 

So, what does it look like?  Can’t show you yet but here is a sneak peek at the cover text:

Grace’s childhood is relaxed and free, even her first love is simple and sweet, but everything changes when her father decides to marry her off to a man she barely knows.  All of Grace’s hopes and dreams are shattered on her wedding night.  With her innocence lost, Grace tries to find her place in this new world, but discovers there really isn’t a place for her. She quickly realizes that only she can save herself from the abuse she endures from her husband.  When Grace finally decides to take action, a series of circumstances change both her and her world forever. 

Power Of The Pen

I have been worrying lately about what if I can’t think of any more story ideas?  What if I have used up my quota?  I haven’t had any ideas jump into my head lately and it scares me…but then I thought of something. 

I had set my mind on edit mode.  I have set myself in front of my laptop to “correct” previous work.  I realized that that is what my brain thinks it’s supposed to be doing when it’s in front of the computer screen.  What I realized was I needed to break away from technology for a bit and go back to pen and paper; this is where I feel creative.  I am sure once I really learn how to tap in to the creative part more freely then I will be able to write and edit on the computer but my brain still remembers working on the computer and playing with paper.  I will slowly reprogram it to create no matter where I am or what medium I am using but today I picked up a pen and started to write and I could feel it starting to flow again. 

Maybe I will stay “old fashion” and write long hand and edit on the computer or maybe I will be able to let go of old habits and thoughts and retrain my brain so that I can switch up my styles but I do know that today it felt good!  Good to write, good to create and good to be back in my flow.

Edits - you need a sense of humour

I've been reorganizing and editing and this is why you never let your cat help.

 Digit's two cents...

Not all posts need to be serious right?!
Have fun!

Percolate & Ruminate

So, Galloway is done…or so I thought.  One night the thought popped into my head, “what if Chapter 5 is really the start of my story?”  I told myself I’d think about it and went to sleep. 

That was a couple of weeks ago and I have decided to switch up my chapters, jumping right into it then weaving the first chapters throughout the rest of the story.  I am really excited about this decision and I really think this is what it needs.  I can’t wait to get busy.

Later gater.

REJUICED

        I am feeling so rejuiced.  What, rejuiced isn’t a word?  What do you mean?  If couch surfing, muffin top or royalness have recently been added to the OED then why can’t I use rejuiced?  Who knows, it may become as popular as “Doh.”

Well, I just spent an incredible weekend with some amazing women. 

Where: At One Grafton Street, Charlottetown

When: May 20th-22nd

Who: Organized by Patti Larsen

Why: To write!

I spent this weekend at a writer’s retreat, like I said, organized by Patti, where we shared our stories, experiences and projects.  We came together Friday night where over dinner we set our intentions for the weekend.  Back at the Bed and Breakfast we gathered as a group to talk about publishing.  We were all so excited to be there I don’t think anyone wanted to go to bed that night. 

Saturday after a wonderful breakfast we reviewed how to create our outlines then went off and did our things.  It was so nice to find a cozy corner or spread out on the table knowing that you wouldn’t have to clear it in a few hours for dinner.   Saturday evening we headed to UPEI for a book launch: “Dead Time” by Christy Ann Conlin which also included readings by Kate Inglis (author of sweetsalty.com and The Dread Crew), Bonnie Stewart (cribchronicles.com and Best Women's Travel Writing 2011), and Island poet Yvette Doucette.  I was captivated by all of these women. 

Armed with snacks we picked up on the way home, back at the B&B we spread out once again to our chosen spots to continue our work.  I didn’t want to waste a minute of my weekend but found I had to retire at midnight where my roomie Cat and I joked about the rapture and how it didn’t happen or that maybe it had but turns out we were left behind. 

Sunday was another tasty breakfast, followed by some time to wrap ourselves up and then time to share.  I found myself getting lost in the stories my fellow writers told.  Each one leaving me wanting to know more, needing to know what happens next and, on a couple of occasions, fighting back tears.

I feel privileged to be accepted into such a wonderful group of ladies, a wonderful group of writers and artists, and a wonderful group of human beings I now call friends.  I am inspired by them.

With the weekend over and my bags packed, I drove home feeling embraced, productive, creative, stimulated, spellbound, inspired, authentic - rejuiced.  So yes, rejuiced is a word.

And, I am a writer!

Thank you Patti, Melissa, Kirstin, Michelle, Colleen, & Catherine Ann