What Happens When You Have a Deadline

Howdy

Pamela  Tracy here

and

I had a book due Tuesday

All writers are different.
I have a friend who always finishes a week early
Me? I always have work count the day it's due
But, I write the amazing growing book

So, Tuesday morning...
I was finished
Then, in the shower I had a GREAT idea
which changed/bettered my ending
added 4000 words to count (yes in one day!)
and meant I had to reread quickly to pepper references throughout

So, you're thinking...
Ah, the life of a writer
Sitting back and putting words on paper
Er, no
Writer is just one hat

Another hat is housewife
I don't mind the word
I think taking care of a home
and raising children
to be the best life of all
... even when the plumbing breaks during a deadline
*Photo circa December 2016

My back patio
*Photo circa January 2017

Yes, this is today

Can you see the tunnel going through my back yard?

*Photo circa February 2017

BTW - my favorite place to write is the kitchen table

Next to the sliding glass door where are the noise takes place.

Good news is - hubby is a plumber.  He's making all the noise.

And for 1/3 the price

Speaking of noise and my favorite place to write
My son likes to build legos at the other end of the table.
Someday, he will have his own talk show.
Right now, he's practicing on me.

Best Interruption of all
Best Friend Harlequin American author
Cathy McDavid got married!
I didn't mind the interruption.
I called it research

By the way, my full-time job is college professor
I attended the ACT conference last Thursday
Yes, that would be four days before the book was due.
I learned that absenteeism in our elementary, junior, and high schools
is at an all time high

Saturday I attended an all-day workshop on creativity by Allen Arnold
I'm president of the local ACFW group.
And, we had it at my church.
I learned a lot.

One of the things that struck me was his talking about how someone  could look successful
Like a beautiful tree
But the roots be corroded

Now that my book is turned in, I have goals
1. I want to finish a week early next time
2. I want to clean my patio
3. I want to go to lunch with my best friend
4.  I want to play with my son
5.  I want to work on being a better, strong Christian woman, friend, mother, wife, writer.
How about you?

Pamela's next book will be available in April.

However, Pamela's next published writing
will be part of the Craftie Ladies of Romance's Valentine Serial
Which starts tomorrow!!!!

A Year of Anticipation

Lisa Jordan sharing with you this morning! 

I’ve read different posts on Facebook about how 2017 is going to be somebody’s great year!

I can understand the desire for a fresh start with a clean slate, especially if the previous year stole your joy, your hopes, and caused a lot of pain.

For me, though, January 1^st seemed like any other day. I didn’t have an overwhelming desire to make a long list of resolutions. In fact, I don’t make resolutions at all.

Instead, I chose one word as my key focus for the year. I use this word in my prayers, my journaling, how I approach my relationships, and in my careers—I have a day job in addition to writing novels.

I’ve done this since 2009, and it’s made a difference in how I approach my dreams and the goals I put in place to make those dreams happen.

For 2016, I chose Thrive as my word. I wanted to Thrive in my health, in my relationships, and in my writing. Ironically, my health took a downturn and I spent the summer in crippling pain. My writing didn’t thrive the way I had anticipated and mapped out. However, several relationships strengthened. And God was with me the entire time—during the pain, during the disappointments, during the celebrations.

This year I’ve chosen Anticipation. Originally, I had different words in mind—joy and courage, which I had melded into courageous joy, but during our Christmas Eve service, our pastor spoke about Anticipation. He said, “Turn anticipation into participation to give God the opportunity to move in our lives.”

God whispered, “That’s your word—anticipation.”

At that moment, I felt such peace.

I’ve pondered my dreams and outlined goals for 2017. Moving beyond my comfort zone requires some stretching, but that’s the only way we grow, right? I’ve chosen a new adventure with my writing. I’m facing a fear in my day job and stepping out in faith to achieve a new milestone.

So what does anticipation look like for my year? I have no idea. But I know with God leading the walk, I have nothing to fear. I will go wherever the Lord leads me because that participation, even if I do feel fearful, will give Him the opportunity to move in my life. Since He knows what’s best for me, that’s the ultimate goal for anyone.

Your Turn: Do you make resolutions? Do you choose a word as a focus? Perhaps you create goals? Or maybe you do something completely different? Please share.

Goals, Motivation and Conflict

Deb Kastner here, wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

Goals.  Motivation.  Conflict.  I’m sure most of my writer friends have heard these three words slung together at one time or another.  Authors use them a lot, especially when we’re first forming our stories.  We identify what’s important to our characters, what drives them to pursue those goals (motivation), and what conflicts could potentially get in the way of them succeeding (in a novel, the more conflict, the merrier).

As the New Year quickly approaches, I find myself evaluating 2013—what worked for me and what didn’t, goals on which I progressed and those I quickly scrapped, the life changes I’ve been through, what 2014 is shaping up to be, and what I’d like it to look like.

This is the time of year I look at Goals, Motivation and Conflict in an entirely different way—as they apply to my own life.  

GOALS

What are my hopes and dreams for 2014?  Are they realistic?  Specific?  Can I break my goals into pieces so I can celebrate small successes along the way?  Do I have an appropriate number of goals?  Am I stretching myself as a person or overwhelming myself?

MOTIVATION

When it comes to New Year’s Resolutions, I find it easy to overdo.  I want to write faster, read more, eat less, lose weight and save money.  All noble goals, to be sure, but I’ve discovered that if I don’t have the motivation to back those goals, they drop off within the first week or two and I’m back to my old, familiar habits.

Every year for—well, ever—“Lose Weight” was at the top of my list, and it was always the first thing to drop off after the new year began.  Why?  Because while I knew I wasn’t where I needed to be weight-wise, there were many other more pressing items ahead of that goal.  Last year I finally recognized that I needed to be serious about weight loss in order to help me live a healthier lifestyle.  I researched and studied and learned what would work for me.  And then I put my plan into action.  My motivation changed—and so did my weight.  I’m not done with my weight loss journey yet, but I’ve seen the difference the changes in my lifestyle have made and I’m committed to continuing down that path.

CONFLICT

Here’s where the rubber meets the road.  I’ve made my goals measurable and specific, so I know when I’ve reached the finish line, or at least made progress.  I’ve prayed and examined myself and have found the motivation in my heart to pursue those goals.  Yep.  I’m sure about it.  These are things I really want to do this year.  But what happens when I have a bad day, when I fall off the diet bandwagon or don’t get my word count in?

Life happens.  I hit walls, I am tempted down the wrong path, or something truly urgent interferes with my plans.  Like the characters in my novels, things get difficult sometimes.  I’ve come to realized it’s what I choose to do when I hit those bumps in the road that makes the difference when I look back at the end of the year.  If I have strong goals I really care about, and if I continually look to God for course-corrections, I’ll weather those distractions and failures and continue the path I’ve set for myself.

So what about you?  Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?  Have you considered your motivations in making those goals and the conflicts that may arise?  How did you do with your goals in 2013?  And what are you most excited about for 2014?

CUPID TO THE RESCUE

Rugged and tough deputy sheriff Eli Bishop isn't scared of anything.  Except dogs.  When he's assigned a K-9 partner, he thinks things can't get any worse.  Then he learns who'll be training him.  Local vet Mary Travis is sweet as sugar...but she's also Eli's ex-fiancee's sister.  Revealing his humiliating phobia to her is not an option.  Neither is developing feelings for Mary--who's built her career around the dogs Eli fears.  When a terrible storm hits their town, Mary and Eli must find the courage to work together and save lives--and fall in love.

Deb Kastner's book Her Valentine Sheriff is a February 2014 release.  You can purchase it here.