Recently, I reread a novel I wrote many years ago.  Let’s just say the story was in my head obviously, but lacked the rich color on the page.  Once filmed, a story in my opionion stays in the writer’s head forever.  You only have to delve back inside the pages to experience it again. 

I noticed my POV character in a scene sometimes handed over the torch.  A big no-no I’m told.  The town I could see so clearly in my mind didn’t come across on the page.  I was ”seeing” my story, but the reader doesn’t have the writer’s view.  This is a valuable lesson I’ve learned.

So, for all those stories I still believe in, revision is key.  And to the new ones I’ve written, do it  better.  I can honestly say, each of my novels were the best I could write at the time.  That’s the beauty of learning in my opinion. You can look back, and apply what you’ve learned.  Or in some cases, like a first novel, count it as valuable experience and move on.  I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating.  No writing time is wasted…ever.

So, how many of you have looked back?  And if so, did you revise the novel in question or move on?  I can confess there are stories of mine that will never see the light of day.  Those earlier efforts were steppingstones to story-crafting.  I know you all know what I’m talking about!

   

I love anything mystical, whether it’s a foggy beach, or movie that delves deep inside and awakens me to a truth.  Same with great books, and conversations with friends.  I thought I’d share a few titles with you today, and know we’ll revisit this topic many times.

A few books that fall under this category are, THE FOUR AGREEMENTS, by Don Miguel Ruiz, THE CAMINO by Shirley MacLaine,  ASK AND IT IS GIVEN, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, and LEFT TO TELL by Immaculee Ilibagiza.  I have a bookcase dedicated to what I call Spiritual books.  They fill a special place inside of me, and I always walk away from them with a new truth, or new way of looking at things.

My hubby and I recently watched the movie, Dejavu.  Wonderful movie about perception, and things unseen.  The ending blew us away! I also enjoyed Lake House very much.  Give me a touch of paranormal, mixed with romance and I’m there in a heartbeat! I’m a fan of the movie, DRAGONFLY, too.  The Mothman movie scared me, but I never forgot it, and don’t think I ever will.  It left me with a different feel, though. Not a warm and cuddly feeling at all but a, not-so-sure-I-really-want-to-know-what’s-all-out-there feeling. LOL. I’d still watch it again, I’m sure.

I’m still reading THE REINCARNATIONIST, a novel one of my Magical partners, Liz, recently reviewed.  It’s very good, and I hope to spend some quality time finishing it soon. I was thrilled to discover M.J. Rose intends making it a series. I’m so there! I also ordered book one of a new trillogy by one of my favorite authors, Juliet Marillier.  She wrote the SEVENWATERS trillogy, and it’s fantastic. I’ll let ya know the details after I read it.

So what about y’all?  Any interesting reads or movies that fall under the mystical category? I love hearing about them, and will definitely check into any suggestions.

I signed a contract for my second book, DREAMING OF NICK, with Tiger Publications this last week! I’ll be starting the editing process within a couple of weeks. I’m anxious to start working with my editor, Margaret, again.  I must say, this last year has been magical for me. I so look forward to seeing my debut novel on the shelves in the spring, and having a second one in the wings.

Sometimes, I think I’m dreaming.   Seriously, to see a creative wish realized is a piece of life’s magic. I not only want to write the best work I’m capable of, but I intend to enjoy the process.  You’ll never see me with my head bent, missing the scenery along the way. Success to me is doing what you love, and most important acknowledging it with gratitude.  Daily.

Life is short, and nothing is accomplished alone.  Writing may initially be solitary, but there is a team behind every published novel.  And it’s my intention to remember that.  My journey started early in life. I knew I wanted to be a writer, and I also knew for me it would be later rather than early. I needed life’s experience, and I needed to basically write and write until I got it right.  I was a storyteller that needed to learn the nuts and bolts.  I’m still learning, and hope to continue always.  No writing is ever wasted time.  Writing one novel, and starting another is the only way I learned. I’ve been blessed in that my Magical gal pals, and other writer friends are all dedicated to their craft.  Seeing them dig in and continue novel after novel infuses me with an energy we all recognize.  I swear, get two writers together and the energy bubbles.  Get five or more, and we could run our own power grid!

A truth about friendships I’ve discovered is this.  If a person makes you feel good by just being around them, if they bring you up not down, if they walk the talk, you have a true friend.  Be thankful, and nurture it.  There’s nothing better. A big hug to you all!

Yesterday my hubby and I celebrated Grandparent’s Day at our grandson’s school.  They invite grandparents to eat lunch with their grandchild, and it’s always a great time.  We ended the day visiting the book fair set up in the library, where Hunter chose several books. 

I love these times, and look forward to this experience every year.  Next year our youngest grandchild will be in kindergarten, and we’ll be doing it twice. More fun!

I always thinks of my own grandparents, and the memories they left behind.  On my mom’s side, Mamaw always had bubble gum in her kitchen cabinet, and let us pick one whenver we visited.  She also loved to rock us in her rocker, even when our feet touched the ground.  Papaw owned a car dealership, and he was full of life and quite the character.  He loved practical jokes.  My dad’s parents lived in Arkansas on a farm, and vacations spent there were filled with horseback riding, big family reunions in the backyard, well water, and baths in big steel tubs in her kitchen.  Their new house burned down when I was small, and my grandparents moved to their little cabin again on the back acreage. Grandma lost all of her pictures, and I think that broke her heart more than losing her new home.  She never got over it. 

I learned everything I know about being a grandparent from those memories. All of them loved to hug, and never failed to show in all ways how much we were loved. I always felt safe, and enjoyed the times I spent with them.  No matter how busy life gets, I try and remember those lessons.  Times spent with our grandchildren are precious to me.  My favorite is whenever we can all be together, I have two that live in AL, two in TN where we live. So, we really cherish together times. We even started vacationing together whenever we can, and those are the best times.

What memories do you have of your grandparents?  And to all my wonderful friends who are grandparents or soon to be, happy grandparent’s day/week! 

I’m fascinated with dreams.  When I was young I remember flying through the night sky in my dreams, fearless and excited. I’ve visited beautiful places, gone swimming in ancient pools, and talked to loved ones gone from this world.  It’s normal for me, and very comfortable. Sometimes I wake up smiling and other days it’s misty and unsettled,  revealing flashes as the day unfolds. One of my grandsons told me once that he and I had slid down a rainbow in his dreams. I smiled knowing, yes, we probably had and told him so.

Sometimes the dreams are so special that I can’t bring myself to talk of them for awhile.  Others, I can’t wait to tell my hubby or daughters during a chat. We talk freely in my family about such things.  I’ve always loved these times.  I’m a seeker, and enjoy delving into dreamland.  It’s a canvas for writers, I believe.

Unlike some authors, though, I’ve never downloaded a complete novel while sleeping. Now, that would be fun.  I do get snippets, and conversations sometimes if I’m deep into a novel.  And I know I must remember and write it down upon awaking. Those are the best, cause I know my characters are speaking to me…on a soul-level.  My next book, DREAMING OF NICK, touches on this subject in a magical way.  Maybe that’s why I’m thinking of dreamland today. 

What of your dreams?  Are you fascinated with them, or like my hubby can’t remember upon awaking.  Regardless if you remember, we all dream.  It’s a fun way to create.