Why Writing Is Worth It

I find this whole writing journey fascinating.

It’s incredible what happens from the moment an author decides to put words on paper to the moment they hold their own book in their hands. The crazy thing is it isn’t even about the final product. I think the most amazing part of the process is the change that takes place inside of us.

It’s amazing what facing rejection over and over again can do to solidify our resolve and determination to stay in this business. It’s amazing what happens when we sacrifice time and sleep to create even when we don’t know if our efforts will ever come to fruition.

It’s amazing what can spring from one idea—from one moment of inspiration—when we get that spark of an idea from a song or from a thought in the middle of the night. I truly believe there is magic that lives in each of us. That there is something extraordinary that can only come from that secret part of our souls that holds all of the stories we’re meant to write. And there’s a place for all of us—a place for all of our stories.

I do think though that we have to dig deep. Deeper than we think. We have to force ourselves to re-experience moments in our lives—even the not so pleasant ones—to make it real on the page. Even if our story is on the lighter side. Because if it doesn’t come from something real, readers will see through it. They’re smart, and know when they’re being lied to.

So far in this process, I’ve also learned to embrace the hard moments. To consciously accept the lows, and know that they’re a necessary part of the process. I’ve also realized that the lows usually come after a big high! It’s important to accept all that comes with making the decision to be a writer and to be okay with it. To enjoy the ride, because it’s a privilege to even be on the ride.

I also know that good things come to those who keep working. It doesn’t matter where anyone else is on the journey, or even how easy their success seems to have come to them. What matters is our own journey, and how hard we’re pushing ourselves. Even though we might not see our own progress day to day, when we duck our heads and focus only on the words on the page, (and rewriting them however many times necessary), we will see the reward. Even if the reward is the knowledge we’ve gained or the strength we’ve developed or the transformation that’s taken part inside of us.

And that, to me, is worth it.


Red. Head. Out. :D 

My Five Happy Ways...

When Madman Mark tagged me in this meme, I knew I had to participate. I usually don’t do memes, but anything that has to do with gratitude or happiness, I’m there!

Here’s how it works:

Offer a shout out to the Happy One who tagged you.

Then, list my five happy ways.

Tag five more.

So my shout out to Mark: Koopmans is such a bright light in this blogosfear (As he likes to write it) His posts are downright hysterical, but he knows how to bring it down too. He isn’t afraid to talk about important topics and make the reader feel. And he’s extremely talented to boot. I’ve read his WIP, and it’s phenomenal. Can’t wait to see it on shelves! So thank you, Mark, for existing. Because it sure wouldn’t be the same without you.

My five happy ways: (And I’m going to pull a Mark here and say that spouse and family automatically trumps everything)

People who go out of their way to be kind, even when they’re stressed.

Funny story: The other day I was at the post office, and the lady behind the desk was extremely rude to me. Imagine me, with a baby on my hip and my other 3 kids running around. It’s almost closing time and there’s a huge line behind me. I needed help taping my package together because I didn’t have free hands. The woman at the desk absolutely refused to help me.

Long story short, I’d been there before (heh, we writers mail out a lot of manuscripts) and this woman had been rude to me in the past, but I swallowed it down the first time. Anyway, something came over me this time. I told her in a very loud, but kind voice, “She could be more nice.” I told her that even if we’ve had a bad day, it’s okay to offer a helping hand.

I may or may not have continued on a small tangent in front of the whole room, and I probably looked a sight “chastising” this woman with a cheesy smile on my face, but the woman still refused to help me. Finally, a lady from the line behind me came and helped. All I needed was an extra set of hands. Maybe I had caught this woman on two bad days, and if so she has my sympathies, but I also appreciate people who can step out of their life and act in a positive way when necessary.

Exclamation points. Love them. Almost obnoxiously so. They make me happy. And if I get a text without them, I panic that I’ve done something wrong!

Writer Friends. All of you guys! And in particular, Cortney Pearson. I don’t know how I’d survive without her. We text each other all day, every day about everything. She helps me work through all the emotions that are part of this crazy journey.

The Writing Journey. This whole process is amazing. I love the downs and ups of writing. I love the personal change that happens in us when we keep pushing even when we have doubts. It really is a beautiful thing.

Dancing. Baroque music. Talking "ballet talk" with my sister. So You Think You Can Dance! 

And now for my five happy people tags:

Cortney Pearson

Michael Di Gesu

Julie Musil

Sabrina Fish

EJ Wesley 

Thanks again, Mark, for the opportunity to share! Any updates on you guys? How are your projects coming along? I want to know!

Red. Head. Out. :D 

I'm getting old...

Just kidding. It’s my birthday on Wednesday!                    

I’ll be 32. Thirty TWO. Sometimes I feel ancient next to some of you 20-something-year-old writer/bloggers, and I’ll have a fleeting thought of wishing I had discovered writing sooner so I could be further ahead in the game, but then I instantly shove the thought away.

I love getting older. I don’t know, I think there’s beauty with age. I wouldn’t trade the experience I’ve had or any or the wisdom I’ve gained to be back in my twenties for anything.

I didn’t start writing until I was 28, took a year off when I was 29, then started again at 30. But everything pre-writing was only life and experience that I’m now drawing off of for my stories. (Uh oh, CP’s… you now know that everything in my writing is REAL!)

I think I’ve said this before, but the older I get, the younger I realize I am. Forties and Fifties are SO YOUNG. Even Sixties! My mom always told me “Once you reach college, age doesn’t matter. We’re all in the same boat.”

Which is true. We’re all just living, doing our best, trying to make our mark in this world.

And that’s what is SO great about this writing community. Age doesn’t matter. Neither do all of the other differences that may exist between us. We’re all lifting each other up, respecting one another, and supporting each other on this crazy journey.

Oh, and before I go, I must give a quick shout out to Kelley Lynn and Anne Pfeffer. They both have new books out. To check out Kelley’s, click here. To check out Anne’s, click here.

(And life is good right now. I’ve finished my revisions and waiting for feedback from CP's! Love this part of the journey!)

Red. Head. Out. :D 

April IWSG...

Thanks, Alex, for being the host of this fabulous group. You're an amazing influence in this lovely writing community!

This month, I’m feeling insecure about EVERYTHING! It’s so funny how our writer brains work. The mental battle we go through about whether we can do this or whether we can really make it in this business.

And lately, for me, everything’s become more real. Now, more than ever I’m afraid I won’t be good enough. I know I have the will power and mental drive, I’m just scared I don’t have the exceptional talent that needs to go with the motivation. 

I’ve stayed up until 2:00 in the morning every night for the last 2 ½ months to get this latest revision done. And I’m scared to death that it’s not there. That I haven’t dug deep enough or reached the point in my writing that’s really taken my work to the next level.

Is the story vivid with depth and richness? Are the scenes alive? Are the characters believable and real? How’s the pacing? Is the reader connected to the story to the point that he/she can’t put it down?

That’s what I want.

I know some people are concerned about what publisher they get, but I’m concerned about truly crafting a story that’s amazing. I’m not content with writing something that’s exists on the surface.

We only get one chance to debut, and I want to make sure I do it in the best way I can to start my career.

So I’m scared.

But I also know that I’m doing my best. At least I’m giving it my all. I’ve sacrificed sleep, food, downtime, and sanity to get this done. And I know that when we sacrifice and put in the work, good things come—even if it’s just the change that happens in us.

Red. Head. Out. :D 

Cosmic Tables and Catch Up!

I'm really grateful for this guy who saved me from the clutches of the revision cave ------->


I've been lost for weeks and because of DPK, aka leader of the Knights of the Cosmic Table, I found my way back to blogosphere.

Today, I'm over at his blog, being honored as the third Knight to sit at his table. If you want to go check it out, click here.


Next, I've missed you! I'm excited to catch up and make the rounds with all of your blogs. I've had to shut out the world and focus on some serious writing, but I've almost completed my goals. What's new with you? What have I missed? I need the update!

Red. Head. Out. :D

Typo Fun...

I'm not one of those readers who flip out when they see a typo. I understand that mistakes are going to happen, and am pretty forgiving when they pop up in my reading. Yes, there are some typos that are unforgivable, though I have to tell you--I was in a class this last summer at the SCBWI LA conference where there was a question/answer session with a prominent editor. One woman became very heated when she asked the editor why there were typos in books. (Like, this woman was standing and waving her arms, yelling that it was careless that big publishers would allow such mistakes to be put in print)

The irony is, this woman kept saying "Grammical" errors. And the editor kept correcting, "You mean grammatical?"with an emphasis on the "t." Honestly, it was pretty intense and funny at the same time. The poor editor. And the poor woman who kept saying grammatical wrong! Miserable. Though I was surprised by her heated passion on the topic.

I wanted to share some funny errors I stumbled across this week. While these aren't found from books, they are taken from actual resumes. (I snatched them from one of the professors in my hubby's master class) These are great:


Education: Curses in liberal arts, computer science, and accounting. 

Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store.

I am a rabid typist. 

Proven ability to track down and correct erors. 

Personal interests: Donating blood. 15 gallons so far. 

Strengths: Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining composer. 

I am loyal to my employer at all costs. Please feel free to respond to my resume on my office voicemail. 

Cover letter: Thank you for your consideration. Hope to hear from you shorty!  


Do typos irritate you? Or do you breeze over them and not give them a second thought? Any funny typos you've encountered?

Red. Head. Out. :D

Getting The Magic Back

My belief is: Before you become a writer, you can’t fully know what you’re in for. Sure, you read about it—or you immerse yourself in the world and have an idea with how hard it’s going to be, but you can’t really prepare yourself for the emotional ups and downs until you live it.

Tell me if this sounds familiar:

Act:                            Reaction:

• New story idea     Pure excitement! Complete faith that “this is the one.” The words can’t fly out fast enough. 

• Mid-manuscript frustration   Maybe this isn’t the best idea in the world. It isn’t working. Should I continue? I do have that other idea…

• Moment of enlightenment.     I can do this. There’s still hope. There’s good in this story. I’m going to see this through.

• Finish manuscript.           Yippee! I did it! I’m SO getting Big 5 with this one!

• Beta readers.                     I’m crap. Look how much I didn’t see was wrong. If I can’t catch all this, then what hope do I have? I’m so embarrassed. I can’t believe I put myself out there like that.

• Finish beta edits.              Okay. This isn’t too bad. Thank goodness for good readers. My manuscript is all pretty and shiny now. Agents/publishers are going to love this!

• Query/Submission.          Lots of hope. The possibilities are endless. Someone is definitely going to want to work with me.

• Rejection.                        The. World. Is. Going. To. End.

• Revise again.                    The manuscript is so much better. Rejection is a good thing—it helped me see where I needed to improve. All around, my writing is stronger and so is my manuscript.

• Resubmit.                        Nervous. But confident. But still nervous.

And the process repeats itself over and over again—though the process may be different depending on where we are on the journey. Whether it’s editors instead of agents, or bad reviews instead of rejection. But the same ups and downs apply: Hope, inspiration, determination. Self-doubt, fear, or writer’s block. 

But the coolest thing is, eventually, we get used to this—it finally clicks that feeling down is PART OF THE PROCESS. And if we know this, if we know there’s going to be these down times, then we realize these down moments are just as important as the ups.

So embrace it.

Don’t fight against it. Embrace that when we’re in a rut, it will pass. Let it be part of you. Let it fuel you. Because if we can love the down part of the process, then we’ve conquered something HUGE:

Fear. Self-doubt. Or whatever else it is that holds you down.

So just because we’re down, it doesn’t mean the magic isn’t going to come back. And one thing I’ve learned is, when we fight through, the magic is even stronger when we get back to work, because we now have the tools and growth to back us up.

Anything else to add?

Red. Head. Out. :D