It's Fun to Write Fiction

Several weeks ago, I wrote about waking with an idea for a book and giving myself permission to write, despite other responsibilities.

Bottom line, I chose to put into writing the ideas that were popping through my consciousness. It is exciting to see what new characters and new situations bring. And given that I'm approximately 17,000 words into the first draft, it's fair to say that this new book will come to fruition.

Now,what I have to do is some heavy duty catching up on what needed to be done pre this book.  So be it!  The thrill of the plot is back. And it feels good!

It Was Bound to Happen

Autumn has been beautiful this year, with sun and warm temperatures lasting longer than we can normally expect. So when it began to snow last Wednesday, it came as a shock, but it was bound to happen. Time will tell if the spikes in my pots will survive the winter - it's too late to pull them now, but they do look very sculptural with the snow upon them. 

What does this have to do with writing?  Not much. It's just an interlude, a time to enjoy the little things like snow on leaves, to appreciate how the sun brightens a snow covered world. And to be thankful that we can actually see and appreciate all that we have.  

To my American friends who will celebrate their Thanksgiving this week, best wishes for a wonderful holiday. 

Ideas and Reality

This morning, I woke with an idea. Not so strange, everyone has ideas. However, this idea began a spark and then a fire and before I knew it, I was typing out the premise and little scenes in my mind for my next book, the one that I declared my mind was "Too thoroughly drained" to begin. And it had an interesting twist, one with which I have toyed  for some time.

Wait! my very patient practical side shouts (It's had a lot of practice). You have books to polish, books to push and a platform to establish! Yeah, I know.

It occurred to me then, that while I enjoy the entire process of books, reading included, writing is my preference. Possibly because when I'm in the zone, the words just come...to be edited for sure, but it's an invigorating and enjoyable experience. What's less enjoyable, but almost more important, is the marketing, the putting forth, the publicly declaring myself for the world to see. It's not in my nature, but I am working on it!

In the meantime, I may just make a deal with myself that I'm allowed a couple of hours' a day to begin the new book..

The View Becomes Clearer ...

An experienced blogger who encouraged me to "network" answered my query about what to blog with the following, "Be honest and let people know who you are." Okay, that seems simple enough.

Except. I am a very private person. My friends were somewhat taken aback when I allowed my website to become public. "I had no idea you did this!" has been the normal response. And to be honest, I truly did not have an answer other than a gulped, "Well thanks!" I have a very different point of view to that of today's generation that will text when they fart. (well okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, maybe not.).

It occurs to me that I am from a different generation - one that welcomed television (black and white) and was delighted when 13 channels were to be viewed. My first computer required DOS to be loaded before it would unfold its wonders. The printer was a dot matrix with its ream of paper attached. Okay, I'm not THAT old, technology simply has come a long way since then.

And so has the sharing of opinions, lives and happenings: Facebook, Twitter, Blogs. "Big Brother" need not watch any more - it's all out there for all to see.

A not so lazy Sunday

Today has been spent reading blogs, newsletters and tweets. Outside it was misty and grey, with a drizzle of rain and our surrounding mountains were obscured with cloud.. Definitely fall weather. A perfect day to curl up with my computer and sort through the emails that I have been studiously ignoring.
That done, I came away more knowledgeable and having touched base with new friends, ready to face the week with a less overcrowded inbox.  Let the challenges of the new week begin!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood ...

Autumn has arrived in the Okanagan Valley. Fall's frosty hand has begun to show its artistry and the results are stunningly beautiful.  This photo was taken in our community a few days ago. It almost makes you forget that winter is just around the corner.

So I began to think of things that I like, to make winter seem more bearable, a 'whiskers on kittens' sort of thing. Curling up with a good book beside a cosy fireplace would be a good one, with perhaps a hot toddy for company. Now It's sounding more positive.

-Tweed jackets, I love the texture and warmth of tweed jackets

-Hoarfrost on the trees, always gorgeous, Mother Natures's temporary masterpiece

-Big, fat snowflakes that drift and swirl softly to the ground

- Christmas, with its bright colours and good will and family visits

Already this puts me in a better frame of mind about winter.  Now, I shall embrace and enjoy a glorious fall day.

A Strange New World

One of the biggest surprises experienced since becoming more familiar with the world of blogs is its immensity... Obviously, I've been hidden under a rock for the past twenty years and this all happened while I was busy living life. The irony is that in my little world, I am considered to be very technically competent - the go to gal when you can't figure out what your computer has decided it will or will not do. I'm no technician, but sometimes I can help. I am accustomed to knowing what I'm doing and if not, getting to know how to do it. Yesterday.  

So, it is now my mission to understand and become competent with the phenomenon that is Social Media. Slowly but surely, things are starting to fall into place. I am enjoying the blogs written by others. Finally, Twitter is beginning to tweak in my brain, and Facebook is comfortable. The only problem, is that there aren't enough hours in the day. 

Joining a blog...

I consider myself to be computer literate, at least in the areas that I know.  When my first book, Spies & Lies was epublished, I was subjected to a whole new world in cyberspace.  It pulled me into the murky waters of 'Social Networking', which is necessary for marketing according to the ghurus.

Hours were spent setting up and polishing my website, trying to establish a presence on Facebook instead of lurking and jumping into Twitter with both feet (although I'm still only at ankle depth just yet).  In doing so, a wealth of information became available, areas which I never before knew to exist - blogs, tweets, forums just a cllick away.  So I am journeying through the forest of sites, blogs and Facebook pages, hoping that with some time, I will consider myself to be considerably more learned than I am today.