Leave Your Literary Lamp Lit

I shared this picture on New Year's Day

I could say 2021 was a lousy year for writing. I didn't publish the second book of my journal entries, Light & Momentary Troubles. Nor did I finish the first draft of The Unknown Beautiful Missing Piece or Kill the Locust.  

What's happening to my momentum? Am I in a dry season? If so, how do I come back around?

As last year unfolded, in addition to finally getting to a solution to a personal matter, I'd learned even more about writing. Moreover, I was more receptive to ideas and advice than I ever had been. I read online articles, blog posts, and books about how to improve my craft.

These are the three best books I read in 2021.

I was also more in tune with what the men and women in the critique group I'm in, Word Weavers had suggested when they read parts of The Unknown Beautiful Missing Piece: 

• Be aware of passive voice. 
• Get more inside your character's head.
• You write reflections and dialogue so well. 

Also, after a lot of hard work and attention to detail, Nick Clemente and I took more steps in the project we've been working on for the past year and a half. We hope 2022 will be the year we publish it.

And...I went to one show--the Punk Rock Flea Market. And I enjoyed it even more than the one in 2019. I met more people, some of whom bought copies of my books. I may have gone to only one show, but it's better than going to none (like in 2020). 

Over the past few weeks, I've noticed I leave the lamp lit on my desk, even when I'm not writing. Most mornings, I get up at 4:00 and start my workout not long after 6:00. In those, I write in my journal. Knowing I'll continue after I eat my post-workout snack and take a shower, I leave it on.

I thought about Proverbs 31:18b, NIV: and her lamp does not go out at night. The meaning of the verse is, the light you shine continues even when you're not around. In other words, when I'm not pecking away at my computer or quickly running another pen dry writing page after page in my journal, the next idea is just ahead, and people are reading my books, social media posts, and seeing my Instagram photos--among other limitless things.

My focus and steadfastness as an author were challenged last year, in ways I'd never expected. I knew the enemy wanted to keep me from progressing, going to the next level, to tell me I'm never going to get past a setback I had to endure all year. And I'll be able to win this fight at the end of this month. I'm getting something that will allow me to fulfill my writing goals. I'll share more about that, possibly in my blog post for February.

In the meantime, I'll keep my literary lamp lit.

The Jacks at Christmas Parties

When you're reading this, you and/or your loved ones are going to one Christmas party after another, ones your employer or your best friend is hosting. In addition to catching up with old chums, talking about old times, or sharing off-grid office humor, you're meeting new people. They talk about how work has been rough this year, their cross-country flight to see a grandbaby born (whether it's their first or tenth), and their annual summer trip to the beach with three generations' worth of family there.

But then there's an author at the other end of the table, nibbling on those tasty, homemade cheddar garlic mashed potatoes, patiently listening, sometimes commenting.

Have you asked them what they do? If you have and directed your attention back to that mother bragging about her teenage son's plans to study abroad in Ireland next spring, first of all, I forgive you. But please! Re-direct your attention back to that hard-working author who has spent so many days alone, struggling to find the time to write their novel, agonizing to find flowing words, while drinking the dregs of one cup of coffee after another. Ask them what they write, what their current work in progress is about, and how they came up with the idea. They may have writer's block. In their talking, and you intently listening, they may have an epiphany about the turning point of their story. 

Most of all, ask how you can get a hold of a copy of one of their books--as a Christmas gift. You may have been stuck on what book to give that avid reader in your family. Wouldn't it be so cool if you were there when they unwrapped their gift and with wide eyes and giddiness enveloping their body and mind, they welcomed another book to their ever-growing collection and mentally added that to their TBR list? Then you can say you met the author at a Christmas party.

Having been mostly silent more times than I care to admit at gatherings, whether for Christmas or the 4th of July, and seen Yesterday a few times, I can empathize with Jack. To where I've called these taken-for-granted authors Jacks. 

Yesterday is one of few movies that elicits so many emotions (like that fall-out-of-your-seat John Lennon scene). Those who have seen the movie know the part where Jack plays Let it Be for his parents...

While you may compare your Christmases to the ones portrayed in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation or Home Alone, please don't cause authors to feel like Jack (in the above scene) in Yesterday. 

And how about you? How's your family? How's work going for you?

Random Phrases Through Life Changes

When they say an author's job is 24/7/365, they're not kidding.

The worst of this personal physical issue is over. I'm basking in how well the treatment is working. I'm less tired and can concentrate better. That I'm only a month into this and have a few more months before I'm expected to reach normal levels (at last!) astounds me. What other ideas will I be able to come up with? Many more than what I'm thinking of now. And I know they'll be more orderly and consistent.

At the moment, though, I'm enjoying writing in my journal, tweaking my works in progress. 

In keeping the writing ball rolling as I, in the words of an REO Speedwagon song title, roll with the (life) changes, I've thought of random phrases. 

I've either already included them in Facebook posts or will use them in future ones, blog posts, or one of my works in progress, especially the ones I've thought of this past year. 

Here are some of them:

(1) literary cobwebs

(2) showing support (this is deeper and bears more weight than you realize)

(3) Inspiration can't wait till 8

(4) renewed youth

(5) daily inner renewing

(6) the road less traveled

(7) sacrifices of joy

(8) rusty travel skills

(9) changing my daily script

(10) no outlet

Have I piqued your curiosity about what they mean and how I'm going to use them? I'll help you solve the puzzle(s) in the year to come.

And I just couldn't help myself...

A Brief Journal-style Post

Instead of fearing the blank screen, I'm just going to move my fingers and just write whatever comes to my mind.

At the moment, I'm taking care of a personal issue that requires a lot of time and attention to detail. What I can say about it is, now's the time to take care of it. It's not a bad thing. In fact, it's normal; I just have to find something that works for me. I didn't foresee the few years of trial and error. prior to this.

As can be expected, this takes me away from my full writing schedule, working on even more of The Unknown, Beautiful Missing Piece. Instead, I've been writing in my journal. 

If you don't know me by now, you'll now learn I'd likely write about 4-5 pages, front and back, in one sitting, most days of the week. Although we're fully in the digital age, I'm ever more thankful they still make 120-page composition books and pens. This nearly daily verbal dumping keeps my mind and creativity active, I'm still creating things, thinking of new ideas. They may not be anything related to my novels in progress. Perhaps publishing a novel wasn't in my plans this year. However, I know once the stress of this personal issue subsides, I'll be an even better writer than before. 

P.S. I really tried to write all this without thinking about the flow. I foresee writing with much more abandonment on my novels in progress as a result of writing like this in my journal.

P.P.S. I went back and revised this post--only one time. 

The Best Advice I Can Give You

What got you started with writing?

What inspired you to write the book you're working on right now?

What has been the most rewarding thing about being an author?

These are three of many questions others would ask me about my journey as an author. I try to give them the best answers, without sounding impersonal, insulted, or insensitive.

In addition to the above questions, some also ask me, "I want to write a book. What advice do you have for me?" Since I am a mostly straightforward person (almost to a fault), I give a simple answer: Sit down and write something. Although that's still my answer, my next piece of advice is a bit more dramatic. 

DISCLAIMER: This is not for the faint of heart.

Are you ready??

Have an occasional meltdown.

Such was the case for me Wednesday afternoon. I'd worked hard all day, including tweaking more of The Unknown Beautiful Missing Piece. Once again, I stalled. I've dealt with this for the past few weeks. I was nonetheless happy with what I'd done in the limited time I had that morning. 

I'd attended a webinar that afternoon to whet my appetite for an opportunity to grow professionally. I was really overwhelmed afterward. I wondered if it was going to be just another thing I'll fantasize about to my own personal detriment, that will be unfeasible, no matter what, so much so I should forget about it.

I continued in this fatalistic mindset the rest of the afternoon into the evening. 

Then I snapped. I said things, some of them repeatedly. I knew none of them were true. I was so wound up I almost couldn't eat.

I eventually calmed down and ate dinner. I'd had just another moment where I wondered if all the hard work I'd done since 2011 was going to pay off. For the past five years or so, I've gotten up as early as 3:30 or 4 and got to writing...something...anything, and continued doing related things, such as self-promotion, networking with other authors, or learning more about writing until the late afternoon.

To any aspiring authors reading this, to those who really want to write books, you will have moments where you feel like no one is interested in your writing. You may feel invisible, insignificant, inadequate, just an extra person taking up space in this world, always getting the short end of the stick. You may think your ideas are lame and pathetic, that you keep running around in circles, getting nowhere, that you're spinning your wheels and always will till the day you die. In those moments, let it all out, repeat some things if you feel you need to, eat dinner, and get a good night's rest. When you wake up, in your renewed mental and emotional strength, show up again, and write even better and deeper than before. You'll surprise yourself at what more you can think of and do, how strong you really are. For what it's worth, I have to tell myself these same things, sometimes a few times a week.

My Publishing Addiction

Picture it: Punk Rock Flea Market, Mill & Mine, Knoxville, TN, 2021. It was a comfortable, cool day in early October. After much hard work and diligence, I had copies of The Unknown Beautiful Missing Piece at my table. Lots of people who passed by stopped and thumbed through this book. They complimented me on the captivating front cover. Some people bought copies, I autographed them.

I haven't published a book since November 2020. I'd hoped to have published Light & Momentary Troubles, the second volume of my journal entries, by now. However, no one responded to a post I'd made a few weeks ago on an authors' Facebook page, requesting someone to critique it. 

I haven't worked on The Unknown Beautiful Missing Piece in the way I'd thought. Then again, I'm a lot farther along in the progress than I realize; I need to be patient. What I have been working on, though, are essays and devotions, one of which I submitted to Inkspirations . I may likely have another one on there soon. 

In order to make this goal happen, I'll have to finish the first draft around the first of August. Is this too unrealistic? I'll know as this month unfolds. If it doesn't happen then, I know I'll be happy even when I publish it in October. In the meantime, please enjoy an excerpt I have for The Unknown Beautiful Missing Piece.

Vaccine Afterglow

On Thursday, May 27 at 4:20pm, I got the COVID-19 vaccine.

As I drove home, I imagined myself covered with a blanket. I could rest from the stress I'd experienced from the pandemic. Any news I'd hear afterward about it, would be noise. 

For the past year-plus, I'd cooperated with the CDC guidelines. Giving up my rights as a healthy American citizen like I never thought possible. I'd been disappointed events had canceled or gone virtual. Such things included Bible study and writing group meetings. How much better my life will be, how much more I can be myself now that I don't have to wear my mask as much or anymore! {Let me hear a shout from my fellow extroverts.}

Other than feeling mildly tired and sleeping a lot the next day, I didn't experience any other side effects. I was at Panera Saturday morning, writing some more of The Unknown Beautiful Missing Piece. 

This past week, though, I've been distracted, unable to concentrate, overwhelmed, restless, irritable, and confused. I didn't have as much time to write, as I wanted. If I didn't have piles of laundry to do, I had an important event to attend. 

It's an opportunity to socialize, which I haven't been able to do without COVID restrictions. That was my thought as I pried myself away from the laptop, put on my t-shirt and shorts, and went out.

It's now approaching the weekend and I haven't worked much on Unknown. The only "writing" I've done is looking through the second book of my journal entries called Light & Momentary Troubles. I'd composed this around 2019 and looked over it whenever I had a lull in my other works in progress. At the time, they were Writing Soul Mates and Nick Clemente's and my memoir. I checked it one more time for spelling errors and even deleted some content.

I kept thinking there's a way to not make it so dull and boring. I still don't know what it is.

There is such a thing, and I've experienced it myself, as being too stressed to write. I've been there more times I've thought possible. This may be another one of those moments. Only difference is, it's good stress. I've overcome a major milestone that has affected everyone around the world.

Having written all this, I think my one side effect is what I call vaccine afterglow. This is a moment for me to let it sink in about how much better my life will be, now that I'm unmasked. I know it will elicit even better ideas than what I have now for my writings. And it will glow when I put it on paper.