Visiting the Future (Or, the Pitfalls of Living in the Moment)

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. ~Buddha

Forever is composed of nows.  ~Emily Dickinson

Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.  ~Montaigne

It is only possible to live happily-ever-after on a day-to-day basis.  ~Margaret Bonnano

Yesterday is history.  Tomorrow is a mystery.  And today?  Today is a gift.  That's why we call it the present.  ~Babatunde Olatunji, a similar version is also attributed to Alice Morse Earle

If you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what is.  ~Author Unknown

Pile up too many tomorrows and you'll find that you've collected nothing but a bunch of empty yesterdays.  ~The Music Man

Quotes and attributions found at Quote Garden

Photo from rgbstock.com

These quotes all have one thing in common: they urge us to live in the moment. One day at a time. Seize the day!

What they don’t tell us is that living in the present all the time can be detrimental, too. You see, I’m rather an expert at living in the moment, much to my OCD, Type-A, anal-retentive husband’s frustration. I’m his complement. I keep him from getting too stressed out about certain things, and since he’s been in Alcoholics Anonymous, he’s been trying to adopt some of my ways. But I’ll let you in on a secret: I’m glad he hasn’t been able to do it entirely. Not the drinking—he hasn’t had a drop in years. I’m referring to his inability to let his anxiety about the future go.

Strange, right? Well, I have a pretty good reason. Living in the moment causes me to procrastinate. Why do today what can be done right before the deadline? Yes, I procrastinate, and yes, I cut deadlines to the wire. That works for me. Mental blocks seem to melt only under the pressure of “one more hour left.” I’ve tried to do work earlier, but then—oooh, shiny! My life is so much in the present that most events sneak up on me, regardless of my calendar staring at me from the wall.  

I’ve talked about hobby ADHD before. This is part of my problem. I get distracted by all the cool new stuff I could be doing, and put off what I should be doing. My one saving grace is that I get things done on time. Mostly. Budgeting is a struggle. If not for my husband, I’m certain creditors would be all over me for late or missed payments. For some reason, billing deadlines filter right out of my brain (unlike other types of deadlines, like when papers were due in school, or when I have to get papers graded to my students; those I remember). A solution I've adopted is using the task reminder in MS Outlook. I have it synced to my phone and iPod (never can have too many bells chirping, right?) and set up the reminders for DAYS in advance. So far, it seems to help.

My point is one of moderation, even with One Day at a Time living. Don't spend too much time in the past or future, but make sure you visit them both. For short durations. This is something I’ve yet to master, but I keep trying. Hopefully, I’ll get the hang of it soon. 

Do any of you struggle with living too much in the past, future, or moment? How do you handle it?

Some Days I Just Want to Be a Unicorn

Tonya Kappes, author of Splitsville.com, the Charming Series of books, and many other entertaining reads, posted, "Some days I just want to be a unicorn," on her Facebook Street Team wall, and it resonated with me.  In reality, I don't want to be a unicorn (though there's something to be said for being a mythical creature beloved by many and highlighted in shiny sticker collections everywhere).  But, the truth is, I write because I can't be a unicorn.

I know, I know, where is this going?  Stick with me a minute.  I'll make it clear...crystal clear.  Is there any other kind?

I'm a writer, which means, I use my brain as a tool to mesh reality with fantasy.  It's not just something I want to do.  It has pretty much been a compulsion of mine since I can remember.  Every toy of mine had a personality and a story line.  Couldn't help it.  Just the way my brain worked.

Sure, I've been accused of being a daydreamer, a little weird, ADD, anti-social (whatever?), and maybe at times, I'm all of these.  Yet, I'm also creative, imaginative, and slightly humorous.  Combine these and you get someone who gets to be a unicorn some days.  Maybe it's all in my head, but that's okay because I'm a writer.


Some days I might want to be a competing chef going against her ex-boyfriend in a televised cooking competition. This is the premise for my contemporary short story, "Into the Fire."





Some days I might want to be a teenage girl disguised as a boy in a futuristic, dystopian society, just trying to fit in and protect my baby sister from the monsters outside the wall as well as the human ones inside.  Sound interesting?  Check out Edge of Mercy.





Whatever I am today, it's just the way my brain works, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

What about you?  What do you want to be some days?

Happy Reading and Writing,

Cherie Marks/C. C. Marks

WHO KNEW

When I set out to be a published writer from the age of twelve, the last thing on my mind was how it worked. All I knew was I wanted to write stories with characters people could fall in love with like I feel in love with the H/H I read about. As I wrote my stories, I had fantasies of getting that letter or phone call (I started submitting before emails and the Internet were used for submissions) from an editor saying they wanted to publish my book. My advance would be enough for me to quit my job, and before the book was released, a director from Hollywood would discover it and want to make it into a movie, making me rich beyond my wildest dreams. The publishing company would promote my book while I traveled to do research on my next bestseller, ask for my input on the covers, and tell me when to show up for book signings.

Over the past four years, I've learned more about the industry and quickly realized I was a little off base (okay, a lot of base). Don’t get me wrong I am in NO WAY complaining. I’m ecstatic that someone wants to publish my book. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I wish I’d taking those classes on publishing at the conference I went to, or even an online course so I was better prepared. (I’m a planner and prefer not to play catch up.) Or that I was more tech savvy so my blog and other social networks rocked. That said; I do know people who can make them rock and that know everything there is about the industry. 

So, a shout out to networking, and meeting wonderful people to make the journey with on the road to a successful and happy writing career.

Humbled...

Not only am I humbled by friends and family and their continued support with my writing and self publishing journey, but I'm also humbled by new readers (ones I haven't had to recruit myself-but rather, ones that have seen my book on Amazon and have decided to read it). It gives me a flutter of heart happiness to see their reviews on my book, and their curiosity to see when the next books are coming out. :)

I'm also humbled by the move of the book itself as it reached the #21 spot, and the #111 spot on the Amazon Bestseller list! That was thrilling! And even though the book is now going back down to normal position, all of those readers who bought it are leaving reviews...that I'm thankful for...and I hope it continues!

So, now I'm almost finished with my set of edits for Drake's book, HER DRUID DESIRE, and hope to have it to my editor really soon...then it's off to the races for that one. Can't wait to learn all the new things that I have to do for e-publishing AND getting it to print!

Thanks to all of you angels for your help, support, and most of all, for your tips and expertise in this field. I am proud to call you all friends, and writer buddies! :)

My question: Do you all look forward to the process of getting a book out there, or are you a more behind the scenes kind of writer, you rather do the edits, corrections and the go between with you and your publisher?

Thanks
Trish

The Olympics of Life

Last night most of us watched the Closing Ceremonies for the Olympics - well, I say most of us because I didn't actually watch it. My kids wanted to watch a movie so I snuggled up with them and did that instead. Anyway, back to my real discussion...

I'm not a sports fanatic by any means. The only time I watch sports on television is when the Olympics are on. Why? For me, it's about the world coming together in the name of sportsmanship to see who will reign supreme until the next four year cycle. As a former elite gymnast, I appreciate the dedication, perseverance and determination of the worlds athletes. And who doesn't like to watch their own country compete, pride for their fellow man echoing in their heart?

As I religiously watched the artistic gymnastics competition, both mens and womens, a sense of awe permeated my being. The sport has changed so much since I competed. When you consider what athletes were doing skill-wise in the '70's as compared to now (I competed in the '80's and 90's - I'm not that old!), the sport has come a long way. I'd love to say I have a favorite event to watch, but as I watch the gymnasts tumble, vault and fly around the bars, not to mention leap along a four-inch wide beam - I can't pick one. I am amazed by all of it. What fills me with pride is not only watching what they can do but how they react to the outcome.

In the Olympics, like in life, sometimes you're the athlete collecting the gold at the top of the podium, and sometimes you're the one who didn't even make top five. I was so proud of our Canadian womens gymnastics team because even though they didn't bring home a medal, they were fifth in the world which is the best standing they've had for some time.

Often in life, we get down on ourselves because we didn't get the number one spot, or second, or third. We forget to appreciate how far we've come in a short amount of time. Watching the Olympics, seeing countries participate who were not allowed to before, watching as sports are added to the roster, reminds me of how far we can all go in our lives with a little determination, perseverance and the belief we can do anything.

Now that the Olympics are over, let's not forget that spirit of togetherness that for two weeks brought the world together to witness the best the world had to offer. As the highs and lows of life reach us, let's remember to be grateful for those who coach us along in life - our friends, our family, our fellow writers, our publishers, our readers - and give thanks for another day to give it our best shot.

And because today is my birthday, I want to give everyone a treat! I will give away a paperback of REBOUND to one lucky commenter (Canada and the US. If you're from overseas, I'll let you choose another ecopy.)
REBOUND is Book 1 of the Love and Balance series based around my love of the sport of gymnastics. Book 2, The Perfect Score is available now as well, and I'm revealing the cover for Tumbling Hearts which will be Book 3 available this fall. I also have a new sweet, paranormal romantic short story that just came out LOST IN HER MIND. I'll also give away a pdf copy of that to a lucky commenter! So TWO prizes and I'll pick a winner at the end of the week :)

Visit with me at: www.kelliekamryn.com

This Stuff Ain't for Sissies! by Lori Leger

Self-Publishing and Promoting...A quick trip to Insanity, but what a HELL OF A RIDE!

As a self published author, here are just a small portion of the questions running through my "Abbie Normal"mind on a daily, if not hourly, basis... (feel free to ask if you don't get it and I'll explain...)

When should I release my next book?

Should I spend money on an editor or keep rolling like I have been?

Do I want to think about submitting to an agent/editor or keep rolling like I have been?

What should I name the next books in the series?

Should I start a new series?

What do I want on the cover this time around?

How am I going to find time to blog?

Can I really afford another writer's conference this year, both time and moneywise?

Should I drive or fly to Atlanta in October?

Should I enter contests?

Should I volunteer to judge contests? If so, how many?

Am I posting enough to Facebook...Goodreads...Twitter?

Should I start Pinterest? Would I even have the time to start something new?

SHOULD I blog more?

Am I doing enough to promote my books?

Should I start my own publishing company? If so, what does it take?

Should I make it exclusive to Amazon to take advantage of free days and the lucrative lending library income?

How much is too much to spend on ads or promo packages?

Trading cards or book marks?

Do I have enough humor in the new book?

Do I need more conflict?

Did I miss my turn at blogging on the Ass Cheek Angels? (Uh...YEP!)

Okay...I know I'm not special...I KNOW all of you ask yourselves some of these same questions. Right? Or is it just because I'm self-pubbed? I've never been traditionally pubbed so I don't know. But, it can't be just me losing my mind, right? THIS is why I resigned my job. No way...No way in HELL could I continue the full time job and the publishing end of the business. Writing was one thing, but the time it takes to publish...the rewriting...over and over...the tedious task of endless rounds of editing...over and over and over again (and I still miss the obvious, sometimes). All so time consuming.

So I get it published...it's OUT there...now to promote it. Good God Almighty, I only THOUGHT writing was time consuming. Promoting is the real time thief. And distractions...I'm like that dog in the movie "UP" ... SQUIRREL! and I'm off on ten different tangents. I've checked both of my emails..twice...pulled up facebook and goodreads...updated the website...updated my Amazon author page, and answered two tweets--and STILL haven't researched police procedures...the entire reason for connecting to the internet thirty minutes ago. Honestly, how does one succeed when one has the attention span of a gnat? Sigh...

Getting a book published is like having a child...nobody tells you how difficult it's going to be. But in the same way...it's totally fulfilling when you can pull up a website and see your books out there...or hold the copies in your hands, and you're getting messages from real fans (not your family or classmates) and they love your stories and thank you for wasting their day because they couldn't put the book down. Yep...it's like Kellie said just a couple of days ago...What a difference a year makes!

Writing and publishing...it ain't for sissies, ladies...but it's a hell of a ride if you've got the stamina for it!

Writing First to Vent, Then to Create

When I'm stressed from the day's events, writing can be quite therapeutic for me.  Yet at times, there's too much craziness when dealing with the chaos in the world; so fulfilling my creative outlet can become quite daunting.  Honestly, those are the times which I would love to crawl into a hole and hide away.  Thank goodness my inner voices reel me back into focus.  If those fail, I also have the encouragement and support from my fiance to help get me back on task.  Ironically, sometimes the one thing that assists me with writing fiction and riding myself from the black despair of a "creative dry spell" or "writer's block" is actually writing about the day's crappy events.

You see, when I pen down on paper about the rude lady in the check out line or pound away at the keyboard about the asshole who cut me off in traffic, those little 'vent' sessions unclog and drain away all the nasty sludge from the day.  In turn, once it's left my brain and entered the writing pad, my mind has become free to explore the unknown and drift into the world of fiction without feeling guilty.  I don't need to continue examining my feelings because I've dealt with the issues of eating that second piece of chocolate cake once I typed my regret out onto the keyboard.  There's no need to beat myself up over and over again.  I've released any feelings of pain, anger, regret, or sadness out into the universe.  Those feelings along with the hurt from past or present relationships; such as from an ex-boyfriend, a parent, or a former best friend, can all be used on paper to heal your heart.

When times I've hurt the most, writing in a journal gets rid of the bitterness and anger.  It also aids me with getting my creative juices flowing once more because I don't have all that mess cluttering up my thoughts. My subconscious can truly roam free without the extra baggage of all the unwanted visitors.  Plus it's always a great way to twist those vent writing sessions into a new plot line for your next story.  Just remember to change the names. Lol.  Seriously though, what techniques do you use to help get rid of the world's nasty bits and focus on the fictional side of life?