A Flag Flown Half-Staff

As I was driving through Salt Lake City on Interstate 15 the other day, I noticed many American flags being flown half-staff. Whenever I see flags flying in such a manner, I become somber, reflective. It causes my heart to feel heavy with compassion. This symbolic action brings attention to a horrific event that has taken place. I can only assume it was for the tragic shooting that took place in Colorado last week.   

It touches my heart that flags are being flown half-staff for what happened. I even heard that Christian Bale paid a visit to the victims of the shooting. These things show a great deal of respect.

I definitely can't believe that someone would do something so dispicable. The world is a scary place, indeed. Yet, there is good that permiates the earth as well. That's where respect shown through a simple act of flying a flag half-staff is so beautiful. It shows that light still shines through the darkness.

In honor of those who have been adversely affected by this tragedy, I send my sincerest prayers. And hope that your lives will be filled with peace and solace in the coming weeks, months, and years.

How do you feel about what happened during the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises? What things show you that there is the light of goodness in the world?

Writing. Jewels.

What Makes You Laugh

My brother has a knack for saying funny things off the fly. For instance, my family got together on Sunday, and my dad asked one of my nephews to be careful not to break something. My brother said to my dad, "It's your fault for having kids who had kids." We all started laughing. Alright, maybe you had to be there... *shrugs*

Another example: Likewise, on Sunday, we were talking about my family helping me move next month. Funny bro said, "I'll be sure to schedule a colonoscopy on that day." I don't have that much stuff. Really! Haha My dad ended up saying, "I'll be scheduling a nap that day."

Anyway, there are parts of my books that crack me up every time I read them. Sometimes I wonder how I came up with those scenes. But when I'm in the thick of writing, my stories speak to me and tell me what to write--be it funny or sad or horrific.

I make myself laugh sometimes. Ok, that sounds funny and quite possibly crazy, I know. For example, a few weeks ago, I was working out at the gym. I decided to watch the pilot episode of a series I've watched before: Stargate SG1. As I was running on the treadmill, I was smiling so big and giggling quietly from remembering just how much I LOVE that show.

Whenever I see a Beagle, giggles find their way out of my lips. That's my favorite type of dog. Sigh!

The other day, I had a nice chat with a fellow Twitter/writing friend, Rob Weidmann. Somehow we got on the subject of Star Wars. He informed me that May the Fourth is the official Star Wars Day. Get it? May the Fourth be with You! haha I still laugh about that one.

So, what makes you laugh? Does it take a TV show or a book to bring to laughing tears? Do you have a family member or friend who keeps you on your chuckling toes? Do you laugh at yourself? Do your own books crack you up? What's something funny you've heard recently?

Writing. Jewels.

PS: The comic above cracked me up way too much, I think.

A Little Change

Hi, friends!

There's going to be a little change in my blogging routine. I've decided to post only once a week from now on. I've got so many things going on in my life right now that simplifying things is all I can do. This is something that I've been thinking about for a while. Now I'm implementing it. Sorry for being such a party pooper. haha I need time to do all the fickle things in life. Plus, I really need to allow for time to visit other blogs. I've been a serious flake in that area recently. My apologies. My sincerest apologies!

So, stop by on Wednesdays for posts. That's my new day for blogging fun!

It's interesting how when I started blogging I randomly posted. It could've been four times a week to maybe once every three weeks. Then, I realized I had to have some kind of order in the chaos. I started posting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. After a while, I dropped my posting down to two days a week. Now, once a week.

But, alas, I'm still trying to be consistent. That's the thing with blogging, you need consistency so your followers know when to expect some brilliant (haha) posts from you. That's one thing I learned at a writing conference. So, dearest followers, stop by on Wednesdays for whatever I conjure up for posts.

Have you ever had to shave off a couple days from your weekly blogging routine? How have you decided how many days a week to blog? Or when you will post? 

I appreciate you all! Super Mwah!

Writing. Jewels.  

Month of July Goals

It's reporting times, folks. Yay and a few woots all around! Here's how I did with my Month of June Goals:

• Read The Mortal Instruments: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare ---> Getting there...
• Complete an edit of my wip: BOUND ---> Super Check. Oh, I love this story
• Hand off BOUND to one more round of betas ---> I'm pretty confident with where it's at right now. I'll hand it off to my agent soon
• Beta a friend's book ---> I've started going through it
• Continue forward with my no sweets diet. ---> I went an entire 22 days without sweets as per my detox plan.
• Exercise three times a week ---> Check. I'd like to thank the gym facility where I work and having an hour long lunch break

Here are my Month of July Goals:

• Beta a couple books
• Start reading Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull 
• Continue exercising three days a week
• Only have one treat a week on Fridays
• Start the first draft of BOUND's sequel. I so can't wait

As always, I ask: what are your Month of July goals? You can voice your successes from last month as well.

Writing. Jewels.

Insecure Writer's Support Group: Battling the Storm Within

Here's to another lovely edition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. I'm posted today instead of tomorrow due to the U.S.A Fourth of July holiday. Topic today ---> there's one thing that constantly gets in the way of my writing:

ME

Yep, you read correctly. Me. Me. Me. I think that might be a common connection between writers. Here are some reasons why I get in the way:

• I'm my own worst enemy
• Laziness 
• There's a storm brewing inside
• I get distracted
• Lack of motivation
• Writer's block
• Being overwhelemed

I'd like to focus on one of those items on my list. There's a storm brewing inside. For me the initial battle is getting myself sitting in front of the laptop with the Word document opened. I write when I get home from work or on Saturday. Now, folks, the last thing I want to do after a long day at work or on my weekend, is to work again. I get tired really easily, therefore, I can only do so much. But these are the only times I can really work on my writing.

When I arrive home, about 40% of me wants to relax, 40% wants to write, and 20% is giving me a guilt trip for not being productive. The tug-of-war continues until my mind feels like it will explode. If I choose to relax, at the end of the night I'll feel terrible. If I decide to turn on the laptop and work, I'll feel accomplished and happy with the results of a good nights writing/editing.
The trick is to get myself at the laptop. When I get home, I automatically get my laptop out and ready to go. I'll get dinner and then plug in earbuds and I'm off. It takes me a few minutes to get into the groove, but once the music drowns out the world and I'm invested in my story, I'm loving the process.

So, whatever gets in the way of your writing figure out a method to overcome it, then move forward. You can do this! Man, if I can, anyone can!

Do you get in the way of your writing? What are the things you battle with when it comes to writing? How do you conquer the sludge that keeps you from writing or progressing with your art with words?

Writing. Jewels.