H is for Hope #AtoZBlogging Challenge

The more I blog, the easier it becomes. I've had my moments when I had to "force" myself to sit and write, but isn't it like that with our writing projects too sometimes? We're not always going to be bouncing with that creative energy for our writing, especially if we are tired from a stressful day.

However, as I am moving through my posts, I am filled with hope. Hope that I can continue writing this often and achieve some of those goals I'm setting. Hope to finally get my prized project running again (My Light Magazine) and hope to continue that novel I'm working on. I'm learning that the more energy I put into my writing, the more energy returns to it.

I'm also filled with hope that my original goal, finishing the blogging challenge, might actually occur. This post is just about 1/3 through the challenge. If I consistently blogged this first part, surely I can get through the rest.

And an interesting thing is happening. The more hope I feel, the more creative energy I feel withing myself.

What was your H topic today?

G is for Goals #AtoZBloggig Challenge

                  

In an attempt to become more organized with my writing and more specifically, my blogging, I recognize that having goals is a critical part of the process. I have, of course, always had goals in mind with my writing. However I never thought about laying them out. That's pretty nerve wracking in general since I've had so much going on with my writing: books, articles, submissions and running my own E-zine. In fact, having a lack of tangible goals may have contributed to my writing lull. 

So what is involved in setting writing goals? A goal should be something that you are aiming for with your writing that you are able to reach. Goals are like the cobblestones on the path to your dreams. You may or may not reach your ultimate dream, however setting goals and achieving them determines your success. This is why it is important to set goals you know you can reach. (For me, pledging to blog everyday was really pushing it as an attainable goal for me. However, I felt I needed this push. And hey, I've made seven letters so far!)

Where should you start with your goals? If you haven't had much of a writing routine, the smaller the start, the better. As you successfully accomplish your goals, then you reach for bigger ones. 

To start with your writing goals might be:

• Write one paragraph a day
• Journal daily (or weekly if that is too much)
• Start an idea book/binder/journal where you record ideas that pop up at any time of the day, (Isn't it always while you're driving somewhere or otherwise preoccupied?)

As your routine picks up again and you find you are reaching your smaller goals with ease, you might be ready to plan bigger goals. Some things to think about are:

How many hours a day can I commit to writing?

How many stories will I write this month?

How many submissions can I prepare this month?

Do I plan on starting any projects?

Am I ready to contribute to a column or other project? 

The beautiful thing about goals is that there can always be more of them. For me, my goals are to finish the blogging challenge, complete 2 reviews I have planned, and to possibly revive my old E-Zine.

 Pretty large goals at first, but I am starting small. Every day I publish a post, I am closer to that first goal. 

What are some writing goals you have? 

F is for Freedom #AtoZBlogingChallenge

Today I'm looking at Freedom for the letter F in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Not just any Freedom, but freedom in writing. The last few days, I felt the "burn" with creating routine blog posts. As the previous post emphasized, E was for "Every Effort" to keep going.  

While the first few days proved to be a difficult time in keeping up with the momentum, these posts are reminding me of all that I've been involved with in the past and I am inspired to get back to where I was with my writing. I really do love it and have missed it more than I realized.  

It is because of this, that I feel like this blogging challenge has given me more freedom for my writing. Having to be accountable for my next posts helps me "justify" to myself when I start writing. I have a planned out daily schedule for my writing, (which I had once before, but stopped for a while) and am igniting a habit that had since dimmed. So F is for Freedom to Write. What about you? What Freedoms have been unleashed during this challenge so far?

E is for Every Effort #AtoZBlogging Challenge

Okay, so it's only five days in and I am really pushing myself to keep going in this A to Z Challenge. After a long day of handling family and work responsibilities, it is tough to consistently blog every day. This is especially true since I have been out of the blogging loop for a while.

My "Writing Enemy" has been in full swing today. It started with not wanting to get up on this cold morning. With a little effort, I got up and began the day. Instantly, I made the rounds and woke the kids. In what seemed like a flash of time, we had breakfast and were out the door.  As the kids went through their school day and as I went through my work day, I made an effort to consider my blogging topic:
 "Today is E," I pondered. "What interesting topic can I write about? Ugh, is there even ANYTHING interesting about the letter E?"

This internal dialogue suggests I certainly could have benefited from a few extra minutes this morning. However, with a little more effort, I continued to ponder my topic. After all, if I was going to have an easier time with my post this evening, I'd have to be ready.

After work/school was a mad rush of travelling to the doctors for one of the kids, unexpected medical tests, homework, dinner, clean up... and then BAM! An hour before I should be turning in to bed I finally have the time to do the next day's post.

It was extremely tempting to just head to bed and "let it go", but I made a strong effort to sit down in front of the computer and open my blog. I still wasn't sure what my topic would be until I started writing. Many times, that's how it is with my writing. I can plan for a certain type of post or writing, but too often, my writing turns into something else entirely.

Now, exactly two minutes after my preferred bedtime, I'm nearing the end of my post. I've overcome a busy day and many temptations to  get here. I have made every effort to complete day 5 of the challenge. Hopefully, with consistent effort, the challenge will become more like a second nature.

How are you doing on this fifth day of the A to Z Blogging Challenge?

D is for Daily Schedule #AtoZBloggingChallenge

One secret to successful writing that I learned early on (and still struggle to follow) is to write - no matter what. It is essential to find time to write something and exercise that writing muscle in our heads.  I am guilty of letting go and putting my writing last on the list. It is an easy temptation since there are so many demands on our time such as work, family, kids, and everyone's activities.

One way to tackle these time obstacles is to establish a daily schedule. Whether you write full time or work full time and then write, it is essential to set time aside for your writing. We give so much of our time to everyone else in our lives, it is okay for us to take this time for ourselves and our writing. I am learning how to do that for my own writing, and I owe much of that to this blogging challenge I'm doing this month. I hadn't planned on it, but it's working out that my writing schedule is between 8-10 on weeknights and 2-3 hours in the afternoon on weekends.

I recommend writing out a schedule and posting it on your desk. I also have placed  my desk in a central area in my home. With so many commitments and such a busy schedule, it would be too easy for me to get caught up in everything else and neglect my writing. With my desk in a more prominent place, it is a glaring reminder from my muse. It says (or screams), "I'm waiting!"

So, what is your daily writing routine? How to you keep that writing muscle in shape?

C is For Creative Writing #AtoZBlogging Challenge

What makes your writing your own? What makes it shine out above all the other pieces out there? Our own creativity is something that accomplishes both of these things. Ask any avid reader why they like a certain book, blog or author and they'll usually describe something unique that came from the author. The way the author presented their material in the way only they can present it, is what prompts us to have a favorite author.

This umbrella covers all aspects of writing, especially an author's voice and style.  I think about the many YA books I've read recently. If you browse through some of my older posts, you'll see some reviews of books I've done on Brenda Hiatt, Rachel Morgan and Heather Sunseri.  I loved every book I reviewed by these authors, though the stories and the creativity in them were all very different.

As authors, we all have our own resources of creativity. So, how do we tap into them? Where do we find these snippets of inspiration? Below are some suggestions for unleashing that creative monster dwelling within you:

1.  Brainstorm, brainstorm, brainstorm.  I am only beginning my first novel and I've run into several episodes of writer's block. The best thing I did to get those creative juices flowing again was to just write. Write about anything. Pick a word that has something to do with what you are writing and go from there. Whether you free write or put it all down in word maps, you will be writing. Pretty soon something will hit you and you'll think, "That's it! That's what I was looking for!"

2. Be Nosy.  Admit it. A certain tone from the table next to you in a restaurant caught your attention and you are listening intently, hopefully without being noticed. Or you see someone walking down the street with a strange looking outfit on and you start brainstorming what their story is. Use these moments to boost your creativity, even if it will have nothing to do with your current project. However, chances are you may find one or two jewels to use.

3. Read.  Our brains are fully engulfed in the creative world when we are reading. Sometimes we may  read a word or  a situation that reminds you of something in your story. That may be all you need to continue your brainstorming.

What do you do when you need a boost in your creativity?

Books, Books, Books #AtoZBlogging Challenge

As a follow up to yesterday's post, my topic for the letter B is "Books, Books, Books". More specifically, books for children with health issues.  As a teacher and an author,  I firmly believe that reading about something is the best way to start to deal with that specific problem. Children can identify with the characters or learn how that character handled the situation they were given.

Below is a list of books for children with various chronic diseases, along with a small description and a link.

Riley's Heart Machine
By Lori M Jones

Riley  is afraid of what her friends will think if thy find out about her pacemaker. In Riley's Heart Machine, Riley needs to overcome her fear of being different and finally shares her secret with her friends in a "unique" way.







Now Caitlin Can
By: Ramona Wood

This is a story about a little girl, Caitlin, who is in need of a Kidney Transplant. This is told by the point of view of Caitiln's older brother Freddie.









Pennies, Nickels and Dimes
By: Elizabeth Murphy Meals

Ashley and her friend try to raise money for her Transplant  Operation and learn even more about Organ Transplantation in the process.








Going to the Hospital
By: Fred Rogers

A picture book detailing a typical hospital visit and common forms of treatments that occur there.










These are just a few of my favorites I found when I was searching for books for our family. What are some of your favorite specialty books?