Vote, if you please ...

Had a very energetic and fun time at WRW's workshop on Saturday. Kathy Seidel, an excellent speaker and teacher and a writer as well. We discussed Pride and Prejudice and picked apart the different characters and relationships and what they meant in the book. It's interesting how perspectives can change, even after I've read the book a few times and seen the movies (particularly A&E) many, many times. Ahhh...

What's so great about these local workshops is catching up with fellow writers/friends and talking about our writing and where we're heading in our careers. It's so wonderful to chat with people, who understand what you're going through and to whom you can talk unabashedly about your writing without the obigatory, "So, are you published, yet?" or "That idea sucks. Maybe you should write something like Twilight." Or whatever someone who has not written a book and suffered the heartache and frustration of finding a publisher or agent would say.

It's always exciting to hear of fellow writers who have news of successes. Jessica Darago is one of those authors. Her book, The Serpant's Tooth, has reached the third round of American Title V, the Romantic Times unpublished author's contest. Readers vote on the best summary posted on RT's page: http://www.romantictimes.com/news_amtitle3.php.

She's an fun and amazing person, and her story is unique and compelling. If you get a chance, pop on over and vote for a local girl and show your support for a new author. Help make an author's dream come true!!!!

A Horse is a PITA of Course

Well, I can cross off another thing on my "to do before I die" list. I went snowboarding with my hubby this week and actually did pretty good and even learned the technique of stopping myself with my butt. It's one the pros won't even attempt (bunch of wusses). Especially on ice and slush. I have the war wounds to prove it and I'm finally able to sit without a cushion. :)

I've been putting off my revisions. I'm just stuck. Stuck on revising the first chapter. Stuck on how much work it's going to take.

I was listening to these self-help CDs (Self-Discipline and Emotional Control) with my husband. For something that was supposed to teach you how to be calm, the author was somewhat spastic in his teaching methods. However, what I did get out of it was how everyone has a horse (a stubborn part) which is adverse to change and in avoiding change will make you feel uncomfortable about anything new and even lie to you to make you stay on the well-worn path he's used to. We're supposed to take the reigns of the horse and force it off the beaten path and into submission. We're supposed to take control of our emotions and not let them lead us down the wrong trail.

But it's not as easy as it sounds.

The one and only time I went horseback riding, my horse walked over to the corner of the fenced area and stood staring at a barrel of water at the other side. No matter how hard I tugged on the reins or tapped my heels into her side, she wouldn't take her eyes off of the water which was just out of reach on the other side of the fence.

I can feel that with all my stories. Every time I get a rejection and every time I am criticized, I hear the horse telling me that I'm a failure, that I am not good enough and that I will never be good enough, and that I will never live my dream of becoming a writer. I can physically feel myself being held back and unable to move.

And that is where I am now—immobile and hoping someone will move the barrel of water closer to me.