20180701 Weekly Update

I hope everyone has had a good week.  I had some personal time this last week and enjoyed some time with others, exploring new places and going to the fair.  Needless to say the week has been interesting.

I also met with a photographer and discussed creating promotional material for my coming books.  With luck, there will be a good amount of material ready to go when I move forward with Reflections of Darkness.  I am exchanging reviews with a fellow author I connected with on Facebook and am excited to read a novel outside my genre.  Contacting another writer on the same journey is a great feeling.  I have started looking into the new Instagram service for video production and will be producing content to share in the coming weeks. (Exciting times!)

I am still waiting on my editor to get back to me for Ripples of Mind.  As much as I want to rush forward and proceed with the process, I intend to keep to the process and do what is needed.  I am hopeful the latest book will be completed, edited and released by year’s end.  (Fingers crossed!)

My Instagram fave this week is the mindset I strive to maintain as I move forward every day.  There is so much to do in this world and so much to share.  I only hope by the time my days are done, I have given all that I can to share my works, my worlds and my dreams with all who would benefit from them.  Onwards!

The world is your canvas. Begin each day ready to paint the hopes, dreams and passions that will turn your life into the greatest adventure ever. Onwards! +

Facebook never ceases to amaze.  With so many groups and so many ways to connect, it is a great tool with which to find fellow creatives, discover additional tools and share wisdom.  I hope we are always able to connect with one another with smiles, encouragement and humor.

Question: I have horrible writer’s block. Any advice?

My Answer:

Your muse probably ran off. They do that sometimes. The best thing to do is get another one. First find an out of the way place where no one frequents. Set yourself up to write, be it on a large rock or on the ground. Leave a trail of pencil shavings, post-it notes and shreds of note paper that lead to you. If you have a laptop, pull it out and sit with a blank text page while you watch the cursor blink. If you prefer paper, write a heading and on the first line write “The” and slowly trace it with your writing implement of choice. Before long, a shimmering muse will come along and take notice of you. If you see it, pretend to be lost in thought as you continue to trace the first word or watch the cursor blinking. The Muse will circle you a few times until it loses patience. If it begins to jump about to get your attention, simply look towards it and then return to your task. Finally, the muse will change into a critter with teeth. This looks more or less like a colorful, furry pac-man that will begin moving around you, looking for a place to bite. (Arm or leg, usually) Let it. The bite doesn’t hurt and the venom of a muse is like an inspiration espresso. You will no longer see the cursor or word before you. You will see stories forming and expanding in all directions. You will find adventures in the clouds above or between each blade of grass. It is a sight to behold! From here, you can either begin writing or simply stand up and go home. The muse will not let go until you have begun writing the wonders of the inspiration you have unlocked. Even then, the venom will remain in your system for a long while. In some cases, it remains for a lifetime. Remember: This is a secret method for setting a muse-trap. Shhh…

As a final personal note, I hope everyone has a good July 4^th and celebrates with hope for brighter days, greater understanding and freedom to dream of better tomorrows that can raise us all to greater heights.  Onwards!