Warning Labels

With two little boys in hockey I think I spend more time at the rink then I do working on my writing. It can't pass up the opportunity to see them doing things they love. Its a privilege to be able to see our children learn and develop skills that they will carry with them throughout life. I think supporting an active lifestyle through sports is important for children. It encourages teamwork, mental and physical strength, endurance...Though, keeping up with busy schedules can also be exhausting. My energy level never comes close to theirs at any point during the day so I press on knowing that my children are also encouraging important qualities in myself as well. They test my endurance, mental strength and patience all the time. As we help guide them into adulthood, our children guide us to be better parents.

Children should also have warning labels...

WARNING. Will cause you to be in a state of physical and mental exhaustion for a period of at least 18 years. Will cause you to repeat yourself to the point that your own voice annoys you. Will cause you to experience a wide range of conflicting emotions. Will test your sanity, repeatedly. Combustion may occur if allowed sugar or to stay up past bedtime. Will become extremely loud when in the presence of other children. Will attract all dirt in a 10 ft perimeter. Will completely and utterly own your heart from the moment they come into your life and this will overshadow all other warnings listed above.

The Daily Struggle of Finding Balance...

We hear it all the time...

"Balance is the key to life"

A simple, beautiful concept that when applied to real life gets complicated and sometimes feels unattainable.

As a mom, wife, writer... maid, chef, peacekeeper, chauffeur, event planner... the list goes on. We all wear many hats and that's why balance is difficult in our daily lives. Finding our balance is something that is a daily struggle. 

I often think that when I finally figure it all out it will be the moment before I die. I will have this huge epiphany in my last moment but at that point it will no longer matter anyway, until then I have to figure it out as I go. I think the best we can do is prioritize and be flexible to the constant change that life presents us. What works one day might not the next, adapting is key. When I wake up in the morning my to-do-list is so long that I have no idea where it ends but I have to tackle it knowing that it is not possible to get everything done. 

One of the most important things I have learned is that if we do not take care of ourselves then that list and all of our efforts are pointless. We need to find balance in ourselves before we can create balance in our lives. We have to make sure we invest in ourselves.

I love to write but my busy life doesn't always allow me to do it. It's always a struggle as to where I should apply my time because as we all know there is never enough time in the day. Sometimes when I sit down in front of my computer to write I think of all the things I should be doing instead, especially with my future as a writer so uncertain. Then again, there is an overwhelming sense of fulfillment that writing gives me and I know that when I start typing I am making the right choice. I will always have a thousand reasons not to write but I need to focus on the reason why I should.

Sometimes achieving balance in my day means combining multiple items on my list to allow time for my writing. Meal preparation becomes quality time with my children. "Welcome to the cooking show, today we are making..." and I get to educate them on the importance of eating healthy.

Cleaning my house becomes my workout time. I will blast the music and dance as I scrub away.

The most important thing I always make sure happens when everything feels likes a disaster in my day is to connect with the people I love. I make sure when my children go to bed at night they know they are loved and cherished. I make sure that I connect with my husband and we have our time because our relationship is the foundation of our family. Love is the one thing I never question.

If I can smile at the end of the day, that's balance enough for me :)

Comments

It was brought to my attention that there was a problem posting comments. I believe I have fixed the problem. Hopefully I will hear from you now :)

No takers?

I am a little disappointed. I was hoping for at least one person to make a comment about my sample chapters. I will take anything at all...the good bad and the ugly. Even negative feedback points me in the right direction, don't hold back :)

Your comment can be as simple as, "I would continue reading.", "good.", "horrible." or if you read it and are completely overwhelmed with how wonderful it is please be as descriptive as you like :))

If you would like to take a look here's the link... (I should also mention that some of the content is 18+)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HnW0RK7grSnzUqCd1eFmfexaP2KzvMg4rG1xG1LtqiM/pub

Better Late Than Never

When I became a mother at a young age my priorities changed. I was thrown into adulthood with the responsibility of another person that relied on me completely . The driving force in deciding a career became about what would generate the much needed income I required to raise a child.

Now, 17 years later, my daughter is making her plans to pursue her career as a veterinarian. I am so proud of her. She is a bright, intelligent girl that lights up the room with her smile. Since she was small she held the world in her hands and I knew nothing would stand in her way.

We grew up together, she made me a better person, she showed me the power of love and the real treasures in life.

Our family grew over the years. I married a wonderful man and had two amazing sons. They inspire me everyday. We are blessed with a family strong in love and support. The foundation of life.

I have always said that one day I will publish a book. I have always felt this was what I was meant to do. The day has come when I can make this happen. Better late than never. For better or worse, here I come!

A Quote to Inspire you

"Don't worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~ Howard Thurman

I found this very inspirational quote today and I wanted to share it.
Follow your passions, your dreams, your heart and you will find happiness :)

Self Doubt...Human nature? or just annoying?

At this stage in the game I often wonder if I am suffering from what I like to call "American Idol Syndrome." (The delusional belief that our talent is better than what the world will perceive) So far only my family and close friends have read my writing, who are of course always supportive and encouraging.

Though, I wonder when I put myself out there how I will be received by people who are not emotionally invested in me. Mind you, it will not stop me. I am committed either way. If I am truly suffering from the illusion that I have what it takes to be a successful writer I guess I will find out. Then I have no choice but to post an angry video of myself telling everyone that "Just you wait. I will be better than everyone else. Then we will see who is laughing!" At least I will entertain a few people.

What's the point of life if you don't take chances anyway...Stay tuned :)

My editor

My daughter is currently helping me edit my novel. At 17, she has read more books than most people do in their entire lives. She has a natural talent for editing and seems to find a lot of enjoyment in pointing out my mistakes...

This is what I came up with for my book cover...what do you think??

Editing

Hard at work editing my novel. I have all the necessities to ensure I do a good job. Tea and chocolate!

Book Cover

I have decided while I'm waiting on the possibility that one of my submissions will successfully reach and intrigue a publisher, I am going to attempt to publish my book as an ebook. A book is judged by its cover so I am currently working of something that will hopefully arouse curiosity and encourage people to read it :)

The daunting task of getting published

Writing for me is the easy part. My best ideas find me at the most unusual times and when I doing something completely unrelated. Now that I have completed my novel the next step it trying to find someone to publish my work...This is where I am now completely in the dark.
To self-publish? I have no clue where to start with that one. The easiest way seems to be publishing an ebook but I have a vision of having my book printed and sitting on a shelf in the local book store where people can pick it up and flip through the pages.
Find a publisher? Even some of the most famous writers have been turned down or had a difficult time with this step. I would love to start on my next novel, I am already bursting at the seems with a new story but instead I am trying to navigate through a part of the process that is completely discouraging.
I have submitted a sample of my work to publishing companies and literary agents that publish in the fantasy genre. Now is the waiting game to see if they get back to me... if they get back to me. I cannot contact anyone, or get any feedback. I may or may not hear back within 12 weeks.
It is not an easy feat for new writers to get their foot in the door.

To all the fantasy lovers out there,

If you picked up a book that caught your eye, flipped it over and read...

In a world where gods wield power over mankind, testing their loyalties and their hearts, there are some that will rise from the ashes. These brave souls possess a form of magic that has endured the test of time.
The story begins with the sea. A beautiful goddess whose misplaced affection unleashed a wrath of torment upon those who had wronged her. A mother whose love defied the laws of life and death. A young woman who could not escape her fate or the will of her heart that leads her to embrace a very unlikely soul. Warriors forged from a curse that has plagued them for generations. A Queen whose thirst for power leaves a trail of destruction in her wake. And a King with two sons; one born of love, the other pure evil. The struggle for power has begun.

Would you be tempted to read it?