I watched a movie a few days ago about a man on a mission. This movie wasn't an ordinary show. The mission wasn't anything heroic. And yet, this mission, and this man's dogged determination, will stick with me forever. Oh yea, the movie was in German, made in Germany, but some of the scenes were in Texas and Louisiana. The plot? This guy worked his entire life in a salt mine. Work, go to the pub with two close friends, go home to bed, repeat. His transportation was a bicycle, sometimes he pulled a small trailer. Then the company retired him and his two friends. What now? By accident one night he tuned his radio to an American station which played Cajun music. It changed his life and he spent months trying to learn more about this magical rhythm and melody. The quest took him to Texas - New Branfels, during Octoberfest - not what he was looking for. He went to Louisiana and reached his goal. But in the middle of a dance, he died. 

I wasn't sad, surprisingly I didn't tear up, rather, I celebrated. He didn't quit searching. He found his grail.



What does this have to do with my writing, other than I did actually study this dramatic plot and character building?  I have reached a similar goal. Yay!

When I was fourteen I made the first of many trail rides into the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. To say I was hooked is an understatement. I read every shred of paper about the mountain and its legends; both history and fiction. Later I studied the geology of the region. But from the first moment I rode into those hills, I dreamed of the book I just finished. For forty years these words have rattled around in the grey matter.

Three years ago, I started the first book of the series. I learned real fast it takes more than whacking on a keyboard to get the story written. I had the help of a great critique group, and hired an editor, then paid a proofreader. I'm the impatient sort, so after more than a year of sending my little story to agents and publishing houses, I went to CreateSpace.

The journey continued with the second book, Midnight and the Racehorse, a story I wish had happened when a friend invited me to Turf Paradise. These two first books are close to my heart, but they were practice for my goal. The Legend of the Superstition Gold is finally finished. Yay!

Now, don't get all panicky. I don't intend to kick the bucket tomorrow - but that is not something we are guaranteed. So, the message I stress with this little blog is this: What ever your heart desires, no matter who tells you it's impossible, never give up on it!

Then, never stop reaching for that next goal. I promised three other stories, and I have a novel in the works. There's always another star to reach for.

Have you set a goal which you know will take time, sweat, and blood (those paper-cuts are murder) ?  How do you keep going?

The Core of Writing

 
…is storytelling.

 



Some of my best memories as a child are when I listened while my
father and his co-workers told stories. When work slowed in the airplane
hangar, everyone gathered in some breezy spot and I would scramble for a
corner seat on an oil barrel. 

With respect and great interest as many as twenty men, ranging
in ages from 17 to 80, would listen as one by one, pilots, mechanics, and
roustabouts shared experiences. Imagine my surprise, when someone called on  
a shy eleven year old girl to share the story of her first horseback ride in the Superstition
Mountains of Arizona.

 With a bit of encouragement, I left the security of my
perch on the barrel and joined this most exclusive circle. I learned right away
to judge the eyes and body language of my audience and use the best words to
keep their attention. Over the summer I even perfected the skill of making my
audience laugh and sometimes shed a tear.

 Then one day, someone said, “You should write that
down.”

 Sure I can. No audience – no eyes, smiles, or body language to
gauge my progress or success. And I discovered that the spoken word, when
written on a piece of paper just looks weird. But I kept at it and soon my
father took notice and offered a few suggestions. The first of many short
stories took a snail mail ride to a magazine a bit before I turned twelve. 
 
Success? You could say that – in an odd sort of way. In truth
the reject letters piled high. Most said things like, “Nice story. Doesn’t fit
our production.” Over the next twenty years I wrote my stories between having
babies, moving, and keeping up with a horse farm. And I kept sending them out to
magazines. I did find my words in print a couple of times, in newsletters which
didn’t offer to pay for articles.

 Jump to the present. I no longer rack my poor abused fingers on
that old Royal typewriter. With the luxury of the delete button, cut/paste
function, and spell check – plus a much needed college degree – and with the help
of a critique group, I whip out  stories that turn heads.

 There comes a time, however, in every writer’s life, when words
don’t flow. Deadlines approach, projects pile up, stress
builds.

 What to do?

 Remember the core of writing. It goes far beyond going back to
the basics – you go all the way back to what made you love the process in the
first place. Storytelling.

 Close your eyes. Remember the story as you lived it – and yes,
this works quite well in fiction, sci-fi, and fantasy. Then tell the story to
your audience of pens and pencils, stacks of writer’s manuals, dictionaries, and
your trusty thesaurus. Or if this doesn't work for you, tell this magnificent story to the flowers in the
garden.

 When you’ve told your story and your audience is pleased, pick
up a pencil, not a pen, and some old scrap of paper, not a clean sheet because
they’re intimidating, and Write On!

 Thank goodness for computers!

 What gives you a jumpstart in your writing
process?

It has long been suggested that trying something new not only expands the brain cells, but also improves self  confidence, and gives insight into one's inner being.

I suppose I must agree. With reluctance I've stepped out of the horse and buggy days and explored the world of technology. Yikes, I almost shudder looking at what I just wrote! But, today I make my entry from the touch-pad keys of my new Dell tablet. I do try to learn something new from time to tome and when I get past the nerves and stumbles (and remember to read the instructions) I feel pretty good about myself.

When you step out of your tidy little comfort zone, your horizons are endless.

Six months ago I stepped way out there and started writing a romance. No, it's not ready for review! I jumped in with both feet and hit the ground running. The crazy thing, I don't even read romances. Yes, I made mistakes, yes I embarrassed myself, yes I got better because I haven't quit - yet.

Do you want to improve your writing, or some other part of your world?

1. Think of the things you do well.

2. Write down things you do not do well.

3. Imagine something you may never do in a hundred years, even if it is legal, and do it!




It does take a plan. If your plan is to shoot from the hip, meaning you will do this thing spontaneously not kill something, then all you have to do is start.

After you take the first few steps, set a goal, or a series of goals, and have a general idea of what your end product will look like.

When you get down the road with this far out and amazing new venture, first you will discover the new side of you, then you will find the confidence to seek the appropriate aid in completing this project.

Main thing: don't quit. If you believe in it and you believe in yourself, stick with it.

What this means to writing, get out a cheap spiral notebook (or one of those really nice leather bound journals) and freewrite. Pen the craziest thing you can pull out of your brain, and do not consider throwing it away. Keep writing until it starts to take form and you get used to the idea. Then you can ease this new project into your standard writing program.

Just don't give up, never surrender!

I am now 3/4 through the first draft of my romance novel. I've joined a great online critique group. Message me for more information on this group. And I discovered a plethora of resources to aid me not only with the novel, but with the rest of my writing as well.


And I bought a tablet!


Once you step out of your tiny corner, you will grow.

My next zone burst will be approaching businesses to set up book signings. I don't think it's shy, but the prospect is intimidating.

What do you do to expand your talents?