Intimidated by a New Story

Oh, I do love typing that last line of a story. I don't do anything special like write "The End" or celebrate with a piece of chocolate or maybe something from Taco Bell (well, this I do sometimes). Most of the time I smile, close my laptop, and start dreaming up a new story.

Except for this time.

Yes, I was excited about finishing my last story. I was excited to enter a few contests and revise and edit. But friends, I've written my share of stories. And I've paid attention. I've learned and tried to grow and use advice I've been given. I know I have so much more to learn, but I also know that it's my honest goal with every new book I write to make it better than the last.

Now that's intimidating. It's exciting and fun, sure. But it also makes me pause. I want to do better each time I write a new story and that's a tall order.

So when I finished my last story, I got all smiley and dreamed up what I wanted to write next.

And then I stopped. And worked on editing the story I had just finished. Then decided to edit some more. And now...oh boy. I'm kind of working up to plotting my new story because I want to apply everything I've learned from this last one. I want to apply all the advice that's been given to me over the years. I want to utilize what I've learned from reading countless novels. And not only do I want this story to be good...I want it to be better.

I love that this is something we writers like to do. I love that there's always something to work toward, but wow...sometimes writing can be hard.

Does this ever happen to you? For those of you who have written more than one story, have you felt intimidated by starting a new one?

Oh, and just a quick note! I want to say Happy Birthday to my precious daughter (well, one of them anyway). She turns five today!

Awesome Contest!

Hey friends! Just wanted to mention there's a great contest going on over at The Writer's Alley, a chance to have the amazing Rachel Hauck take a look at an excerpt from one of your stories. All you have to do is put your Log Line or Pitch in the comments to enter to win. Hope to see you there!

Tips to Keep the Day Stress - Free

Some of you might have read my goals (or resolutions, if you want to call them that) for this year. In one word, it's all about balance. It's about threading writing in with all my other commitments and priorities, and making sure there's time for me in the midst of it all. Novel concept, right? Time for Mommy to write, to sleep, to simply relax, and to enjoy.

So what kind of tricks have I been using to help find that balance in my day and relieve some stress?

Weekly Goal Board

I love lists, so I've been using a weekly chore board to keep my (and my kids') household commitments on track. This involves separating chores into various days (and sticking to it! even if I want to work ahead). Laundry on Tuesdays and Fridays, grocery shopping on Mondays, etc. And, of course, a day worked in to spend extra time for family, with a family night.

Down-time Activity

For me this is taking even ten minutes in the middle of a busy day to sit and watch some of a show I've recorded, or read part of a book. I've been loving magazines lately as well because they force me to focus on one thing at a time, and that thing is usually something simple and fun (decorating, recipes, etc.)

Morning Devotions

I've been reading a new devotional I got. I read it at the start of the day, just one short page but it helps focus and center my mind. There's an idea or concept or lesson in there that keeps me grounded and more focused on God during the day.

Be a Kid Again

I have three daughters so we have plenty of childlike enthusiasm in our house. But I find that, even on busy days, if I schedule in a block of time to simply play with them like a child, not just as their mother, I feel less stress. (Yesterday, my middle daughter and I pretended we were dogs and crawled around getting treats from our imaginary owner.) Doing this, I feel like I've relinquished the typical stress we adults carry around as adults and embraced simplicity. No stress, no worries.

Treat Yourself

This doesn't have to be a big thing, just something that makes you feel special or makes you smile. A piece of chocolate, a bubble bath. I LOVE flowers because they brighten my home, make me smile, and they last more than one day.

I'd love to know some of your tips and tricks to keep the day more stress free and productive. Please share!


***photo by AngelaSadler

A Healthy Body Makes a Healthy Writer

I truly believe this. When I am exercising, when I am feeling better physically, I am able to commit to writing with more focus than when I'm not feeling physically fit. And I don't just mean in shape and outwardly fit, I mean healthy as well.

So I laid out some of my resolutions last week and I'm committed to doing them. But one thing I'm not doing is hitting them hard and fast, so much that I'm too worn out to stick to them for long.

How do I plan on getting healthier this year?

Take My Vitamins

I know this is probably easy for some of you to remember to do, but I don't unless I have a routine. Take them at the same time of day and make sure I'm consistent.

Drink More Water

I got one of those double insulated cups last year. This one holds thirty-two ounces, which is perfect. I'm trying to make myself drink one full cup before lunch, one after, and one in the evening. As long as I do that, I can drop in any other kinds of drinks I want as well. A cup of coffee in the morning and maybe a diet Pepsi for lunch or dinner.

Exercise

This is one where slow and steady wins the race. I like exercising in ways that don't feel like exercise. Like walking on my treadmill and checking blogs at the same time or reading the latest Nora Roberts (this is research too, right, since I write romance?). I also like to do Just Dance with the kids. I'm not terribly coordinated and try not to dance in public (trust me, the public is thankful), but since this game is largely about following instructions and I'm pretty awesome at that, I love it! I hold all the high scores :)

Sleep Better

Sometimes I have a tough time sleeping. My brain won't leave me alone even if I ask it nicely. So I'm going to try really hard to get to sleep at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning (still easing into this one). It will hopefully help me feel more energized and able to keep going through the day.

Eat Healthier

Mostly I mean simply sticking to portion sizes, and cooking more at home. My hubby has a challenging work schedule and doesn't get to eat dinners with us most of the time so it's kind of strange cooking so much food for just me and the kids, one of which doesn't eat solids yet, and another who asks if she can be finished after one bite. But cooking a well-balanced meal for dinner helps keep me healthier, on schedule, and gives me a chance to have down-time with the kids to see how their day went.

These may seem like roundabout ways of helping me as a writer, but I know they will. I know when I feel healthier inside and out, I'm ready to write. I have the energy to write. And I also have the energy to persevere even when writing gets hard.

How about you? Do any of you have resolutions to get healthier physically, and how do you plan on approaching them?

A New Me - Body, Mind, and Spirit

I'm not a big New Year's resolution maker. Or as my daughter says, "New Year's Revolution." No, my sister asks me here and there on New Year's Eve what my resolution is and I always think about it a minute and say, "I don't really have one." Maybe it's because I'm making goals constantly throughout the year, and setting another goal at the new year doesn't seem any different than any other normal day in my life.

But this year, I'm making a plan. I'm not making one resolution, I'm making several - and I'm going big. I figure if I'm constantly making goals throughout the year, it won't hurt to have one or more at the beginning of the year when everyone else around me (and me, too) seems motivated to do more, think bigger, live better.

So my New Year's resolution is a little bit of everything but it boils down to living a happier life. A fuller life. Body, Mind, and Spirit. Inside and out. Everything from exercising to sleeping better to recognizing the oodles of blessings in my life and embracing them.

How about you? Are you a resolution maker or not? Do you want to share your New Year's resolution with me?