Blink - is that spring?

I have to admit, for a little while there, every time I thought maybe, just maybe winter was over, another snowfall would happen, or worse, ice rain--ick!  It had been quite a few stressful months, making the whole world appear depressed.

But, I looked up today and the sun was shining, people were in T-shirts, and everyone was cheerful and happy...like the dark clouds had shifted away from over their heads.  

And I was like, Ya baby, Spring!

So, to all those still dealing with the cold and white crystals of winter, hang in there.  It won't be long until you can raise your face to the sunshine, take a breath deep, and sigh with the fresh pleasure, too.

Does this sound like you?

If I could just stay home from work today and write...
I am in the middle of a chapter and just need a couple more hours but I have to go do _____...
I want to write but need a good amount of time at once just to get it done...
I'd rather be writing...

I think all writers have those moments, or days, or months when we wonder why we can't just follow our passion and write full-time, tell everyone and everything just to go stick it, and horde yourself up with your computer and the blissful sound of tapping keys.  I know I've had those moments, a lot! Especially since I've decided to pursue my passion project head on.  It's frustrating not to do what everything inside you says you need to do, right then, all the time. Now.

Then I remembered one of Marie Foleo's weekly videos I had seen last year, and it helped bring everything into perspective (actually, a lot of her videos do).  It had to do with all the jobs, little and big, that we've every had that got us to this point, and the jobs we do now in order to pay bills and feed children and keep a roof over our heads...which all allows us to pursue our dreams.  They are important because they "fund the passion project."   They aren't a deterrent to our dreams, but in fact, help us be able to do them because we are not worrying about where the next paycheck is coming from or if our children have warm clothes for winter.  Sure, maybe we only get a half-hour a day to write, or do whatever your passion is, but there are some who are probably not even getting that little amount of time.  It is important to be thankful for what we do have.

So, I stopped wishing away the day job and the night job and everything else that takes me away from what I want to do, and instead, be thankful for them, and focusing the time I do have not on worrying how much will get done, but just getting it done.  And because writing is more fun to me than, say, any form of exercise  LOL, I made this sign for my desk with just a little added incentive...

...meaning to take at least ten minutes out to do some form of exercise with the reward of being able to write. This reminds me that what I do when I am not writing is just as important as what I hope to accomplish with my writing, keeps me focused on the important things.  That everything is connected, everything can work together if we stop fighting ourselves...and simply be grateful for what we have.

Life is Too Short Not to Follow Your Dreams

I feel a little like I’m about to pass out right now—sort of like when you're used to singing in the shower or alone in your bedroom, holding a brush as a microphone, dancing in front of the mirror, and giving the most ultimate performance ever, and then you’re out with friends one night, and they somehow convince you to get up on the karaoke stage, in front of everyone, and…uh, uh, uh…  Yeah, like that.

It's a big step, putting yourself out there.

Well, I’ve had this project in my head for years, something that combines all my passions—writing, editing, art, and helping writers reach their dreams. Over the years of editing, I kept (and still keep) coming across many things both new and published writers struggle to understand and/or find material to explain those concepts. Thus, the spark began. And grew and grew as I thought of a different take on and unique and fun ways to do a series, not just to help with writing, but that would encompass the various aspects of the writing life. But I never really talked about my ideas or shared them with anyone. Never found enough time to devote full focus to the concept. So, when I stole a few moments to research or sketch out ideas or make notes, it was my time, my little horded dream where absolutely anything could happen. And as it does, life throws detours onto the highway—kids, family, jobs etc., so I kept shrugging my shoulders and told myself, Someday. 


Lately, however, it’s been like the universe has stuck a few new sign posts on the side of the road. First, my sister gave me this cool journal for my birthday with a saying I have always appreciated, and I started thinking…hmmmm, what if?  Then, I was reminded (sadly a number of times over the last couple of months) that some don’t get the opportunity to make it to their “someday.” That life is far too short.

So this time, when all those thoughts of “it’s too hard, too much, will take too long” came up, instead of falling into that doubt pothole yet again, I had an idea…what if, instead of working all alone and waiting until the writing, editing, sketching, digitizing, proofing, finalizing, publishing, etc., etc., etc. were complete, what if I shared the journey right from the beginning? Share not only the experience but some of the content, my thoughts and sketches, tips, tales, triumphs, and terrors? What if I could help writers along the way as I worked on my passion project? All to the final product…a dream for me, and hopefully, a dream builder for others.

Maybe that's why I feel as if I’m standing up there on that karaoke stage, having a hard time breathing and staring out like a [rein]deer caught in the headlights…because, not only is this venture an exciting kind of scary newness, but by doing so, I am making myself fully accountable to make it happen. While still all mine in my head, my passion project could be worked on whenever...or not at all. But now, I am making a full out statement of Here I am and here’s what I'm doing. Now. No more excuses, no more hiding behind the bedroom door with a stylus pen as a microphone and singing at the top of my lungs while editing manuscripts (okay yes, admittedly, that does happen on occasion.)

Exhilarating, petrifying, breathtaking, and yet…I can’t wait to see where this adventure takes me! 

So, what you can expect:

~ Blog posts with everything from content from the drafts of  material I work on together with excerpts of the other fun pieces I have planned to (hopefully) amusing antidotes of the writing life to special guest bloggers and interacting with other writers.

~ Sketches of designs and logo ideas that I hope you will help me decide for branding and other art/writer related ideas.

~ Writer inspiration to keep you motivated.

~ The changing face of the website as I put all of the above into play.

For now, how about a quick tour of the current site? To the right you will see various “pockets” I will fill regularly. Feel free to share the Twitter Pocket. Fill your own writer knapsack with titles from the Book Pocket. [Such as the one up there right now. Not only do I highly recommend anything by Stacey Joy Netzel as a great read, but she is donating all the proceeds of this title for the month of December to her local animal shelter. So, have a cozy break reading this holiday romance while knowing you are giving an animal an opportunity to be all warm and cozy this holiday season, too.] There is also the Promo Pocket below where I will add events that pop up from time to time such as the Christmas Blog Tour happening next week by the Trans Canada Romance Writers.

I plan to blog every Tuesday with a few extra or special posts thrown in here and there—like an added one this debut week on Thursday, wherein I plan to share a few sketches and the grouping of materials I will be working on as the first part of the Writer Knapsack.

What about you?  What is your dream?  Are you working on it now or is it percolating in the back of your mind like mine was?  If so, is there maybe something you can do, right now, to start moving forward on your dream's path?  Could just a few minutes a day working toward it make a difference? The answer to the last one is a definite YES!  [In a future post, I will be talking about just that!]

Thanks for sticking with me to the end of this somewhat longer than expected initial post and listening to my dream. And please, if you like the concept don't hesitate to pop back and visit often, and feel free to share the link to this website www.writerknapsack.com with your friends and writing groups!