Life Is But a Dream . . . by Nancy Gideon

I’m not much for napping, but on bone-achingly cold days like this week’s here in Michigan, after staying up too late (a rarity for me!) and getting woken up too early by hungry cats, stretching out atop the covers for just a minute of shuteye in my upstairs bedroom away from family and felines had undeniable appeal. I’d planned to just relax and get comfortable while mulling over some plot stickers in my newest project, but just like that, hours disappeared.

I don’t know about you, but daytime dreams are vastly different for me than nighttime dreams. They linger there on the edge of conscious thoughts, so real it takes a minute to determine if you’ve been asleep or mulling over future plans and past mistakes. But the instant you try to grab on to their content – poof – gone. I could have plotted out that next novel. I might have figured out how to juggle two upcoming holidays meals or how to maneuver that shy little kitty that’s been hanging out on our deck into the house. But all I have are achy muscles and rumpled clothes . . . and the feeling that I’d discovered something important in that out-of-body state that I can no longer recall.

But then. Maybe it’ll come back to me . . . in a dream.

Wishing you happy events, over-loaded tabletops and safe travel this upcoming week wherever and with whomever you may be celebrating!

♚♚♚♚♚

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When You Neglect Your Stories

By Maureen L. Bonatch

I’m a fiction writer and a freelance writer. Lately my fiction stories are often waiting for attention while I rush to keep up with freelance deadlines. 

You see, fiction writing is more like a marathon, while freelance writing is comparable to a sprint—complete with editors and tight deadlines shouting from the sidelines. So, I keep thinking I’ll get back to “training for that marathon” after I finish this sprint. But time is a sneaky witch that has a way of distracting me of its passing as the days and months accumulate. Time isn't going to pause for me and my story, only I can try to cram more into each day than I already do. 

This Is Not How My Story Ends

Fiction writing has been my dream since childhood, it’s what I want to do. “My story” ends with me writing fiction full time. The challenge with dreams is keeping them alive through nurturing, love and attention. People will notice if I neglect my freelance stories, because I must do them. Often the only one who notices that I’ve not had time for fiction is my characters. 

Being a panster (writes by the seat of my pants) has other “side effects” for me besides a hot mess of a first draft. It allows me to discover the characters and the story almost as a reader would. It also means that when I pull a story out after neglecting it for a while that often I no longer remember what happened. That’s good, and bad. 

It’s good that I can read my story with fresh eyes, but then I also don’t remember what needs added, corrected or deleted—or where I was going. You'd think I would after spending so much time pouring the story on the page. But, like a child vying for attention, my characters “punish me” by withholding information and pushing some of the storyline from my feeble memory. This delays my writing process process even longer because I need a large chunk of time to immerse myself with my characters. Time that I don’t always have to do what I want to do because there is too much I must do. 

Side Effects of Neglecting Our Dreams

We all have our dreams. Many of us may have let them fade to a distant memory. But I find that I’m not the same person if I don’t make the time to cultivate my dreams. I may look the same on the outside, but on the inside, I’m less. The world seems darker and not as exciting. I’m not always immediately aware of what’s happening. Only feeling as if something just seems off. Then I realize that I haven’t written fiction for a while. I need that indulgence more than a vampire needs blood, or a witch covets her favorite broom. 

Think of one of your dreams and consider how you feel when you’re indulging in that dream. I’m betting you feel good—perhaps more whole, or complete. Because, you see, if we only allow time for dreams when we’re sleeping, we’ll never get to see how beautiful they can look in the light of day and how they are an essential part of our story.

How Do You Nurture Your Story?

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook& Twitter

Anit-Hero Love and a Giveaway! by C.J. Burright

Like a lot of other writers, I’m running the hamster-wheel of NaNo, and I also have a new release, so crazy is my theme song of the month.

The protagonist in my new release is an anti-hero, so in his honor, here are five reasons I adore the anti-hero.

1. He’s complex, often misjudged, and perfectly imperfect. The anti-hero always has deep scars from the past driving him. Learning his secrets and understanding his motives is no easy task, which makes the effort to know him even more worthwhile.

2. Unapologetically goes after what he wants, however he wants. An anti-hero can get away with a lot more than your average, every day champion because he doesn’t follow the rules – and we love him for it because we know everything he does is for a good reason…even if we don’t agree with his methods.

3. Outcasts need love, too. The anti-hero doesn’t generally have a lot of friends and is utterly loyal to the people he allows close. He’ll do anything to protect, defend, and make them happy. Once his heart and trust are won, it’s done. You belong to him.

4. Redemption is a glorious thing. Unlike your average knight in shining armor, an anti-hero has a long, long way to go. His flaws are huge, usually tied to dark emotions, but he still holds the capacity for doing good. Watching an anti-hero struggle with his nature and step out of the dark side inspires the warm and fuzzies.

5. Not just anyone will affect them. It takes that special girl to slip past the anti-hero’s defenses and make him even think about a shift or change…and isn’t it always the best to be the only one with that sort of power?

Are you a fan of the anti-hero, too? Or do you prefer to root for the undeniably good guys?

And now for some shameless (or is it shameful?) self-promotion...BUT FIRST - A CELEBRATION GIVEAWAY! I'm giving away some fun and cool stuff and a $10 Amazon GC, so be sure to enter right HERE.

Some call him Purgatory’s Missing Prince. Demon Master. Overlord of Shadows. Only one woman may call him hers.

A master of dreams, a failure at life…

After another botched career attempt, Quinn Carmichael escapes to a remote lodge for a weekend recharge, needing respite…especially from the nightmares that haunt even her days. When a wounded, sexy-as-sin stranger faceplants on her kitchen floor, there’s something disturbingly familiar about him—as in he’s the boy from her childhood dreams. Mr. Dark, Dangerous, and Diabolical may be the key to unlocking the mysteries of her past and future, and Quinn isn’t about to let the opportunity—or him—escape without a fight.

His time is running out…

Known as Purgatory’s Missing Prince, Zaire’s existence has been one of endless pain, torture, and loss. Resigned to his fate, his final goal is simple—rescue his nephew before succumbing to the deadly darkness inside him. But when a fateful misstep brings him face-to-face with the one woman who could have saved him once upon a dream—the one woman he treasures above all else—he battles to keep his distance before he destroys her, too. But he would gladly sell his soul for just one taste.

Love draw them together, destiny will tear them apart...

With ruthless enemies closing in, Quinn and Zaire must fight to save each other and those they care for before it's too late--even if it means they're doomed to live apart forever. 

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Googleplay * iBooks * Goodreads

The Pro's and Con's of an Overactive Imagination

by Maureen L. Bonatch 

Once in awhile I have someone new to my books comment that I must have quite the imagination. Although the interpretation of this comment comes from the manner in which they make this remark. Sure, sometimes it’s to discuss the storyline or the uniqueness of a character, but other times it’s said slowly, with a pointed look, as if uncertain of the stability of the mind of someone who could imagine such a story.

Those who have an overactive imagination understand—or at least they pretend they do. If they find those like-minded a discussion can be held about whatever unusual thought just passed though their mind with a nod of understanding or excitement at exploring the extraordinary possibilities.

Those who don’t have much of an imagination just might become a little, well, uneasy.

How Much Is Too much Imagination?

• Pro- You can write outrageous, imaginative stories
• Con- Some of the people who read these stories become a little uncomfortable after this peek into the dark crevices of your cranium 
• Pro- Midnight hours of your neighbors’ indicate potential stories of werewolves, vampires or serial killers
• Con- You sometimes lose sleep thinking about these possibilities
• Pro- You can entertain yourself for hours without really doing anything
• Con-Working your imagination doesn’t burn as many calories as you think it should and you can develop the dreaded “book butt”.
• Pro- Nothing you view is completely ordinary if you look long enough
• Con- Glazed staring into space isn’t good social practice—and neither is drooling
• Pro-You can’t stop dreaming about “what if”…
• Con-You can’t stop dreaming about “what if”…

Who's With Me? The Lovers, the Dreamers and Me

 

Explore the dark side of the imagination and preorder 

Evil Speaks Softly today right here.

They were never supposed to meet. Fame came easy for Liv by following in the footsteps of the

female writers in her family. The cycle repeated for decades…until Liv changed the story. 

Her villain doesn’t like the revision—and he isn’t a fictional character. In his story, the bad guy always wins.

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter

Life and other incomprehensible puzzles

This blog post originally ran on August 12, 2009. I will put updates to life in all caps :-)


“My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." – Forrest Gump

Truer words have never been spoken.

My life—well at least my writing life—is very much like a box of assorted chocolates. Most days, it’s the chocolate-covered nutty ones that are full of the ups and downs of writing: no character motivation, plot holes, never ending chapters going nowhere. Some days are the smooth, soft caramel ones where the writing flows free and easy and nothing’s wrong with the world, and still others are the really nasty ones I liken to cherry cordials—gross, oozing with questionable internals with a stale cherry staring back at you that represent the Big Dark Moment you’ve written your characters into but can’t find a way to get them out. (UPDATE 06/2010 LIFE IS STILL A CRAP SHOOT LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES EXCEPT I'VE GOTTEN A HANDLE ON THE WRITING. NO LONGER DO I HAVE THE ABOVE ISSUES. I UNDERSTAND HOW TO BUILD A GREAT STORY)


“My father used to say that if we ever had the money you have, we would eat steak and ice cream three times everyday!” -- Pollyanna Whittier from Pollyanna

Wouldn’t that be nice? As writers, I think we’re consumed at the beginning, about making money—the big bucks—and when we sign that first contract, optimism runs rampant. “I’ve written a book and everyone will love it and come running to my door to offer me fame and fortune.” It’s only after that first, fourth, twentieth book is released that we take a step back and face up to reality, who’s been standing in the corner rolling his eyes. The money might be there, but unless you’re Nora Roberts or J.K. Rowling, writers aren’t exactly buried in piles of it. And that’s okay—most days—because writers have found their passion in life. Writing, and really, that’s priceless. Most days… (UPDATE 06-2010 HA! I STILL HAVEN'T CONQUERED WANTING TO MAKE TONS OF SALES--HECK EVEN A MODEST AMOUNT OF SALES. IT BUGS ME EVERY TIME STATEMENTS COME IN AND SHOW JUST HOW UN-FAMOUS I'M GOING TO BE LOL. BUT, LIFE GOES ON AND I CAN STILL DREAM OF MAKING IT BIG. IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN, I'M OKAY WITH THAT :-))


“The start is not nearly as important as the finish.” -- Chef Didier in the Last Holiday

This is my favorite quote of recent time. Seems like every time I’ve hit the skids with my writing, this movie comes on and Queen Latifah’s jamming in the hotel kitchen with the chef and he tells her character this. Then I pull up my big girl panties and get over whatever it is that’s cuffed me on the chin. It’s how we finish—in writing, in relationships, in life. How do we want to be remembered as a writer? By a figure in a bank account or by the thought provoking, sweet, sensual, unique stories that we weave to entertain others? I’d rather write a book that someone will read more than once because it’s a favorite.

Ask me in twenty years how that’s going LOL (UPDATE 06-2010 SINCE THIS POST, I'VE GONE ON TO WRITE A HANDFUL OF AWESOME STORIES THAT SORT OF LEFT THE DUST OF 2009 BEHIND. MY WRITING IS MUCH STRONGER, HOTTER, BETTER. THE FUNNY THING IS, THIS MOVIE WAS JUST ON A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, AND TRUE TO LIFE, I NEEDED TO HEAR THOSE WORDS. IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING, REJECTIONS HAVEN'T SLACKED OFF SINCE 2009 NEITHER HAS MY PENCHANT FOR NOT WRITING IN THE TRENDS LOL)

And my all time go to quote:

“All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

Maybe I’ve got Disney on the brain because I’m going on vacation to the House of Mouse in under two weeks, but seriously, Walt Disney has been a role model since I had to do a book report on him in the fifth grade. Ironically, that’s when I caught the writing bug…but I digress. (UPDATE 06-2010 LOL DISNEY. WE PLAN TO GO BACK THIS YEAR AFTER TURKEY DAY.)

Being a published author has been my dream (besides being a cake decorator, but all the cakes I make lean or crumble—long story) And finally, blathering on and on in notebooks and on scraps of paper begin to make sense.

There was a quote from Sister Act 2 that I really wanted to find for today’s blog, but I couldn’t and I should know it by heart since I’ve seen it so many times, but I’m tired right now and I wish I could remember the book title and author. Anyway, it’s paraphrased here:

Sister Mary Clarence gives her student Rita a book and tells her to read it and says “This guy’s real good. He knows a thing or two about life. If you wake up in the morning and the only thing you can think about is singing, you’re destined to become a singer.” (UPDATE 06-2010 I DID FIND THE BOOK A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO: LETTERS TO A YOUNG POET BY RAINER MARIA RILKE)

"Go into yourself and test the deeps in which your life takes rise; at its source you will find the answer to the question whether you must create. Accept it, just as it sounds, without inquiring into it. Perhaps it will turn out that you are called to be an artist. Then take that destiny upon yourself and bear it, its burden and its greatness, without ever asking what recompense might come from outside."

That’s how I feel about writing. It’s the first thing I think about when I wake up (besides from my hubby) and it’s the last thing I think about before I go to sleep at night (besides my hubby). Writing’s my life. Good, bad, or indifferent, it’s me. I pour out a little piece of my soul into my current project. (UPDATE 60-2010 THIS HASN'T CHANGED)

This week has been excellent--or at least way better than last week. Sure, it started out with a mediocre review. I bitched to my girlfriends about it and moved on. Then this weekend, I fell flat on my writing face as doubts stacked up to the ceiling because I couldn’t get a new novel started. Once again, my girlfriends swooped in, smacked me around, and told me to pretty much get over it, I was a good writer. I believe them. I believe in my work. I believe my husband, God love him, when he says, “why do you let these things get to you?” I can’t help it. Remember that tiny piece of the soul in the writing? Yup, that’s why writers feel so deeply. We can’t help it.

Today, a publisher requested a partial of one of my novels and another one…well, I can’t really say much about that one yet until it's been confirmed... (UPDATE 06-2010 THE FUNNY THING? I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED BACK THEN TO MAKE ME FEEL THIS WAY AND I WAS TOO LAZY TO LOOK THROUGH SAVED EMAILS TO FIND OUT LOL)

My point is, once you find the one thing you believe in with your whole heart in life: cooking, writing, singing, cement mixing, toilet plunging, whatever—once you find that passion, do everything in your power to pursue it. Knock on a few doors, okay pound on them until someone will listen and give you advice. Do everything you can to live that dream, make it yours, put your stamp on the world. The payoff may not be in obscene amounts of cold, hard cash, but in the end, when someone at the grocery, hair salon, and doctor’s office asks: “What do you do for a living?”

You can proudly say, “I’m an author.”

Need I say more?

(UPDATE 06-2010 SO YEAH, MY LIFE IS STILL BASICALLY LIKE THIS, EXCEPT IT'S WAY BETTER NOW. FINDING THE PLACE WHERE YOU FIT IN AND ARE COMFORTABLE THERE IS THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD. YES, MY GOALS HAVE CHANGED TWICE FOR 2010 BUT I'M STILL WRITING AND STILL DREAMING FOR THE FUTURE.)

Remember to leave your email address with your comment for the daily prize drawing which is book swag, a flip-flop shaped luggage tap and a free download of my debut historical book Winner Takes All. Your name will be entered for the grand prize at month's end.

And if you're so inclined, please pop into my website http://www.sandrasookoo.com and check out my two brand new releases!