Challenges, My Progress and Finding Our Way Through

At the beginning of this month, I'd posted about joining a Chapter Book Challenge. That was when I was all pumped about simply getting the words out.

Since then, in the chaos of life, I've had to redirect myself. Because I'm hoping to have this book out before summer, I found myself in a tangle of editing, rewriting and jumping around in the story until I had no idea what was going on. And I really hate having to go back and re-read the story over and over and over.

Don't get me wrong. I'm really liking this story. I think you will too. There's a lot of action and different things going on. But I simply couldn't keep up. So I had to make a decision. One I think many writers have to make when putting together a novel sized story.

The story is basically written. Except I needed to add in a couple of storylines. I created a story board, which I've shown pictures of in previous post. I have the story mapped out in Scrivener, which I love this program by the way!!

My basic problem was staying on track. Sound familiar? Yes, Alyra comes by it honestly. I find myself in a constant struggle to just stay focused and stay on course in the things I'm doing.

Am I the only one?

Needless to say, I had to ditch my hope of pumping out the words for putting out better work. So I've slowed down, and I work each chapter until I have it right, then move on. Yes, my progress is going slower, but in the long run, I think it'll all work out for the better. When I finish the rewrites and editing this time, I will only need to go back and read for typos and mistakes before I hand it over to someone to edit.

I'd say Alburnium is somewhere between Hogwarts and Narnia.

Finding Our Way
Here's the thing, no matter what we do, we each have to find our own way to do that thing we're trying to do. And there will always be people around who will want to tell you the best way to do it. There will be temptations to do it the quickest and easiest way. Or, there will be the temptation to brood and sweat as you seek for perfection.

My tip? Don't settle for good enough. But don't strive for perfection, either. There is no such thing. Honestly. Look around you, everything has a flaw. Everything, in one way or another will have some kind of flaw.

Take the middle road, friend. Work hard. The Bible encourages us to do everything as if we're doing it for the Lord and not men. That's a good standard to go by. Work hard. Do you best. And accept His grace and mercy for where you fall short. Be okay with not being perfect.

Most of all, have fun. Life is short. Seek to enjoy your days and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.


Lastly, don't forget Illuminated is still on sale for .99cents until the end of March. Get your copy while you

can. So far, the book has received positive reviews from those who've read it. I'm grateful for all the comments people have given and am taking the constructive criticisms to heart as I write this next book.

And, I've started a board over at Pinterest. I was trying to share the widget link here, and I'm still working on that, but so far have been unsuccessful. However, you can click over to Pinterest and check it out yourself if you have an interest in seeing how I picture some of my characters and scenes from the books. The White Chronicles Board is a work in progress, so check back from time to time, or hit the follow button if you wish.

Be bless and happy reading!

Tips for the Journey #3 & #4

A few weeks ago, I posted Tips for the Journey #1 & #2, which included Don't be Easily Distracted and Pack Lightly. Check out the Page titled Tips for the Journey for the complete list. I'll probably be adding to it as I learn my own new lessons.

Mistakes are a great way to learn a new lesson. Right?
Funny thing is, even though we know what the right thing is to do, sometimes we simply can't help ourselves.
Even Paul, in the Bible, seemed to struggle with staying on the path.

"For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing!"
Paul from Romans 7:19

Isn't it good to know even the saints struggled with staying on track? Of course, I've always believed that what makes a saint isn't all the good they do, it's the fact they keep getting up, keep going, despite how many times they fall down.

So, here's Tips for the Journey 3 and 4. I hope they will help you along your way. All of these are issues Alyra deals with in Illuminated  as she journeys from Racah to Alburnium. Basically, these are issues we all deal with at some point in our lives.

photo found at flicker. click photo for original source.

Tip #3:
Keep Your Friends Near- but don't let them steer you wrong.
Yeah, sometimes you'll travel alone. Don't despair, you will eventually find others heading in the same direction as you. Join up with them. Enjoy the company. When they stumble, be sure to help them back up and they'll do the same for you. However, when the time comes to part ways, be okay with that. Once a friend, always a friend when you allow it. Don't let their individual destiny become your own. You have your own purpose in this life. Follow your own path. Be open to meeting up with new travelers just around the bend. We can never have too many friends.

photo found at flicker. click photo for original source.

Tip #4: Don't Freak Out Over Obstacles
Hey, stuff happens. Life happens. You will come to roadblocks. You will face neck-breaking mountains. Stay Calm and ... I don't know, just don't freak. Okay?  Have you ever heard the Going on a Bear Hunt chant? We can't go over it, can't go under it... gotta go through it. Yes! Just suck it up and keep walking. Hear me on this: There. Will. Be. A. Way. Through.
Really.
Keep going. If the path leads in that direction, there will be a way through.
God is not out to set us up for failure.

He promises that he has a plan and a purpose for us. He wants what is good. He wants to prosper us. So keep that in mind and keep walking. 

Are you up for a grand journey? Let's go!

First Wild Card Blog Tour... Are You Up for a Journey?

Pack your backpack, we're going on a little journey. Through a few blogs, that is.
The First Wild Card Tours is hosting a blog tour for Illuminated. Below, is a list of those who have began posting reviews and other things.  

For those who took time to read my book, I very much appreciate their honest reviews. I take everything people say into consideration and try not to let the good stuff go too much to my head. Try. Anyway. lol.

Our first stop is Jojo's Corner. I'd love to post the video she made here, but I want everyone to go visit her site because she has a lot of cool stuff going on. She not only does video reviews, but she creates Pinterest boards for the books she likes. As I was looking over people she picked for Alyra and Tarek, I was amazed at how close to what I envisioned she was able to get. She even found some fun stuff from scenes in the book.

Anyway, I repinned a lot of her stuff to my own White Road Chronicles Board. There were some great pins! Check her out. 

Next on our tour is Reviews with Art's Chili Pepper.
Check out this site for a whole list of great reads.

Finally, our last stop for today is at Land of My Sojourn 
Inspirational post along with book reviews. I'm sure you'll find a lot of interesting things there as well.

I'll share more links later this week. Stop in and leave comments if you like.

And don't forget, Illuminated is on sale this week for only .99 cents in kindle and nook format.

Get a Life! And Other Things...

So, I finally went to see Warm Bodies.

I hate to admit this because I'm not a real Zombie fan, not at all. However, this story was stupidly touching. Really.

Okay, so let's look at this zombie fad, I mean, for months now I've been looking at the growing number of books and wondering... for real? *rolls eyes* Geeze louise.

And the only reason I agreed to go watch it was because my son wanted to see it, and this was the only movie playing at that time slot. Wait, let me clarify... the only movie he was willing to go with his parents to see. That is. He's fourteen. Nuff said, right?

Here's basically what the movie is about:

Our zombie hero R (because he doesn't remember his real name but thinks it starts with an R) saves the heroine Julie from a zombie attach- which I might add was lead by him. He takes the girl back to his "home" (an abandoned airplane that somehow has a record player and old albums-- cuz he's some kind of hippie zombie? beats me.) and sets in motion an unusual relationship that changes everything. In zombiedom, that is.

Yes, he falls in love with her. Yes, he's sorta dead, but not quite. Which I guess is what makes a zombie a zombie. I don't know. Anyway, as R begins to come more alive, so do the others, inspired by the spark of hope R and Julie's relationship has kindled.

Thing is, all the other so-called normal humans aren't buying the "coming back to life" bit. Especially her dad who's made it his life mission to finish killing off every zombie he comes across.

Thing is, a little ounce of love get's the zombie's heartless blood flowing and they begin to remember what it's like to be alive, to be human.


 And yes, I was hearing the Beetles song: All You Need Is Love.... Playing in my mind.
 I love a story that offers a take-away of some kind. I just do. Something that makes me think.

Today, I came across an article- which I didn't read because the title said it all- about how Zombie fads can be the result of a depressed society.

You think?

As R was narrating the beginning of the story, about his pathetic existence, how he wandered aimlessly from place to place, never really interacting with others who also couldn't talk more than simple grunts... I thought, geeze that sounds familiar. He'd forgotten how to live. He hated his dreary day in and day out nothingness.

Which made me realize how many people are already living like Zombies. Sometimes, I've even found myself in Zombie-mode.

In the movie, love brought back life.
In life, love really does bring us to life. It's love that makes us human. Love of family, friends, people in general. A love for and from God. Love is all we need, as they say. Sing. Whatever.

So perhaps there's something to the Zombie craze. A call to WAKE UP and LIVE. Stop wandering around aimlessly. Stop merely existing.
Find your passion. Find the path you belong on. Find what you are really meant to do in this world and LIVE.

I'm afraid if we don't... they'll keep making stupid zombie movies until we finally get it.

Just saying.



OH, OH!! Guess WHAT!!!
(yes, I used a lot of exclamation points... I'm just that excited.)

Illuminated will have her first blog tour starting tomorrow.

That's right, the First Wild Card Tours is hosting this.There will be several bloggers joining in on the tour. As they post, I'll share the links here. Please, go check them out. They will be giving honest reviews of my book. I'm excited (yeah and a bit nervous) to see what they say. But, hey, this is part of writing... getting reviews... good and bad.

We learn from the bad, and bask in the good. Ha-Ha... yeah anyway.
We try, right?

Either way, I'm blessed to have this opportunity and hope more will come in the future.
Check back again for a list of hosting blogs.

Oh, and one more thing, I've put Illuminated on sale for .99 cents for the next week during the tour. If you've not read about Alyra's journey, I encourage you to check it out now while the price is so low.

 

Are You Up For The Journey?

I Challenge You To A... Chapter Book Challenge for March

 Not a duel. Not a race, either. But sorta. More like a grab your pen and paper, or keyboard or whatever instrument you use and let's get WRITING! 

I've taken up the Chapter Book Challenge!!

That's right folks. In one of my many facebook groups, I came across a Chapter Book Challenge for the month of March. This is a group of children's and YA writers, all of who are wanting to get their books written and know that traveling in a group is often safest.

Here's a cute video to prove my point:

 

So, I've joined forces with some other writers, who all have one goal in mind.... to write... duh.

My Big Goal: To travel into distant... Ooph!! Sorry wrong train of thought. 

My real goal is to finish rewrites to book 2- which today is titled: Luminosity. (Yes, I know it keeps changing. But I promise I will have it nailed down by time I order my next book cover.) For real. 

I had partially written this story a few years back, but never finished it. Now, I have to add in Tarek's storyline, and some other new developments. So basically, I'm having to rewrite the whole thing. Which is fine. I write better now than I did then. For the most part. Ha!

The timing is perfect. I've been floundering along in my rewrites. And though there's been some other things going on, when I do sit down to write, I meander in my thoughts, read facebook post, tweet... stuff, and once even cleaned off my desk. Yeah, it was that bad. 

But now I'm determined. And I'm out of Girl Scout cookies, so it's time to get serious about this thing. 

I have my story board. I have my outline. I have some writing buddies to push, prod and possibly kick my butt if that's needed. I don't have to make this journey alone. I've joined up with those participating in the Chapter Book Challenge for March 2013.

Safety In Numbers

Which brings me to another point that goes along with Alyra's story in Illuminated: Book One of The White Road Chronicles.  When Alyra did have to travel alone, she just did it. Sometimes, we have to keep our feet moving no matter what our circumstances. But it's so much more fun to travel with others. Sure, at first Alyra and Jerin didn't get along, but over time, their common goal overcame their personality differences. And by time they were nearing their destination, being in a group provided the strength needed to face the hardships.

So, when faced with traveling your road alone, keep your eyes open for others who are heading the same direction, with a common goal in mind. See if you can walk along with them. There is so many benefits to being part of a community. 

I'm a writer. This is a lonely profession. But I've been blessed with finding others who are heading in the same direction I am. We are all different kinds of writers. All with different stories. All with different methods of writing those stories. I may not like the kinds of stories the others are writing, or the methods they use to write those stores. However, I can draw from our commonalities, learn, and be encouraged to keep going. 

As General Marcel told Jerin and Alyra, "So you head for the same destination, though for different purposes. You will find harmony in accepting both the sameness and differences between you. Where one lacks, the other may have abundance. Look to each others strengths and be humble in weaknesses." 

And that is how to travel with others. Accept the differences. Look for each person's strength. And be humble in weaknesses.

And most of all... keep writing!!