Angel Donor and April #AtoZChallenge

A is For Angel Donor and the Month of April

I really didn't want to start the A to Z Blogging challenge talking about one of my own books. I brainstormed writing tips, inspirations, book reviews and even favorite Disney characters. I went as far as typing my first paragraph when it hit me. April, in addition to being the month of the blogging challenge, is also a month that is close to my family's heart. It is also known as Donate Life Month. This is not just any month to me or my family.

Donate Life Month is a month of features and activities to raise awareness of the need for life saving organs and to celebrate those who chose to save a life through organ donation. You can learn more about it here. 

Why is this month more than just a cause for our family? Unfortunately in 2002 we were introduced to chronic illnesses and organ transplantation with my daughter. As her disease went on, it was clear. She needed a liver. Her childhood was clouded by illnesses, doctors and hospitals. It was during this time that the idea for Angel Donor was born. 

I often wished I could read my daughter a book that she could identify with on the subject. She worried about her doctor visits and hospital stays and at times struggled to really understand what was happening. Thankfully, because of the generosity of a family during one of their most trying times, our daughter received her much needed transplant.

However, this was not going to be our only experience in our family. Our third child was also born with a chronic condition and may need a transplant in the future as well. 

While I haven't been active lately in blogging, I have several posts on my Angel Donor blog, which offers just a glimpse into the transplant community. I urge you to take a look and leave a comment on any of the posts. 

So as I was brainstorming and wondering what I could write about, I chose something that I hope will be meaningful and inspirational to anyone who comes across this post.

Have you had any experiences with organ transplants? What are your challenges? Hopes?

The A to Z Blogging Challenge

In light of my renewed dedication to writing more, I began to blog surf. That was dangerous. I came across something I've also participated in a few years ago: The A to Z Blogging Challenge. At first I was ready to move on to the next blog, but then I thought about it. I'm getting my writing routine back. I also have a goal to blog more. What better way to improve my posting and frequency than to participate in an event like this? After all, 26 days should help me revive my blogging habit.







Then I noticed the new component: a theme reveal. It sounds like another fun component of this challenge, and maybe I will be more up for it next year. For now though, I'll be happy if I successfully complete the challenge. It will take organization and dedication, but I think this challenge is doable this year. 

So, what about you? Who's participating? Who chose a theme? 

Breaking through the Block

"Have you written anything more on your book yet," asked my oldest child. "I really want to know what happens."  I had shared some of my early writings from my first NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month)  novel with my daughter and she wants to know what will happen. 

The truth is, I hit a major writer's block right in the middle of NANO and didn't get past 5,000 words. The novel was going great until I hit a wall. No matter what angle I tried, I could not go any further. Maybe the pressure of hitting so many words a day while working full time had something to do with it. Maybe I was trying too hard. Maybe I didn't plan it out enough. Or maybe it was a combination of everything. The fact remains that I could not get anywhere with my novel for four months. 

However, I kept at it - even if it was just a little character development here and there. And finally it happened. I was ready to give up on the book, when everything began to click. It all started to fit together. FINALLY.  

I'm beginning to see that writing a novel is a bit like solving a puzzle. At first it is just a bunch of jumbled pieces. But if you look at each piece carefully, you will eventually match up the fitting pieces. I'm also beginning to see that my characters don't always share everything with me right away. Maybe they're testing me out as much as I'm testing them out. 

Now that I have broken through the block, I'm ready to tackle the novel head on. Although I'm mostly focusing on the outline and getting to know more about the characters, I'm finally moving forward. It was as if I found the missing key to the entire story. What a feeling to "break through" the block. The adventure only gets better from here.