Words don't come easy

I've read and asked many writers if they have writer's block.  Some say there is no such thing.  Others say it comes and goes.  Some suggest to just write whatever you can write and it will flow.

I don't have problems with writing.  I have learned to use prompts, for example reading a book, a magazine, writing in my journal, writing how I feel, etc. My problem is finding time to sit and write.  When I sit down in front of my computer to write, I just tap away.  Eventually of course I do find the time to write...then there's another problem - after finishing a few chapters of my first draft, I am usually not satisfied with it...is that even normal?  After finishing the whole first draft, I sometimes re-write and re-write and I don't get anywhere.  I don't think there's enough "showing" or that the descriptive words are sufficient.  I don't feel the magic.  I don't feel as inspired.  Because of this, I have learned to listen to my inner voice for inspiration.  When I get inspired, words flow.

When does inspiration come to me then?  It is when it is least expected.  Words come when I don't force them to come oozing.  They come when I'm feeding my son or laughing with my husband about something hilarious while in a supermarket. Or when I'm in bed listening to music or about to fall asleep (it's a pain when this happens I tell you).  Or when I'm sitting on a bench in the garden doing nothing.  Or I'm looking out the window when it's raining. Or when I'm sipping a cup of coffee and eating my favourite cheesecake.

Words come when I'm at peace.  When I have no care in the world.  When I'm daydreaming or absentmindedly thinking of my characters and talking to them in my mind.

That's when they come.

When it happens, I have to grab my pen to write them all down.  I have to be armed with a pen and a notepad at all times.  Pens and notebooks have to be everywhere in the house - on the coffee table, in dresser drawers, on the computer desk, on the dining table (yes, I won't spare the dining area!) And under no circumstances must I go out without them.  It's crazy sometimes when they come when I'm trying to have a meal and POP!  An idea for a scene suddenly comes into my head or some beautiful words in a sentence.

But most times, words don't come easy.  I write rubbish. I write nonsense. I write riffraff.  I write baloney.  I write crap.

How about you?  When does inspiration come to you?  Do you experience writer's block?  What do you do to snap out of it?


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I found something on the net last year through blog browsing.  It might be useful to you.  It's an amazing tool to get writing prompts!  Try it, it's free!  Here's the link:   Writersparks

Recommended Read: Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

Hello bloggie friends!  Thank you for all the comments on my book review of Breakthrough by Stephen Tremp.  I hope you don't get tired of my posts but today's post is another book recommendation that I feel I must tell you about because it is really a good one!

Hopefully, my next post will be more exciting than a book review *fingers crossed*

Hope you are having a beautiful Wednesday!!! 

To save your daughter

You must tell the world

You wish she'd never been born.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Back cover blurb:

Willow O'Keefe had seven broken bones before she took her first breath.

Now her life is lived on a knife-edge.  Born with brittle bone disease, she will never learn to skate like her sister.  Even walking can be dangerous:  one wrong step and she is back in a cast.

The medical bills are crippling her family.  So when a lawyer tells Charlotte, her mother,   that they might have a case to sue for wrongful birth, she feels bound to consider it.

Except that winning would mean losing her best friend - and telling the world that she wishes her much-longed for, adored daughter had never been born...

Why I like it:

I have read four other books of Jodi Picoult.  I must say, this, so far, is the best. Very beautifully written. So poetic from beginning to end. With the most impressive details, obviously a well-researched work. It's a story full of not just love, but 'heart' itself.

Willow, a 6-year old little girl is the character with osteogenesis imperfecta in this beautiful story. The prologue alone tore my heart to pieces. I must admit that it hit home. I saw myself in Charlotte. This is a must-read. Whether you are a mother or not, I think you will enjoy every page of this book. It has taught me a lot about a condition that was unknown to me. And it shows a life of a family with a child with special needs lead.

With an unexpected ending, I was left with a bleeding heart. Being a writer myself, what other way would I end a story like this but to give the main character a little bit of mercy? It wasn't the perfect ending. I didn't like it. In real life, it would have broken people's heart. But as a reader, it left me something to think about. And a question that Charlotte may be asking Sean, "What do we do now?"

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More on Jodi Picoult's Handle with Care

I found this book trailer on you.tube, hope you'll like it:

Disclaimer:  I own a copy of the book 'Handle with Care.'  This is an honest review and I was not compensated for this.

Breakthrough by Stephen Tremp

Background:

A scientific breakthrough in Einstein-Rosen Bridges, or wormholes, is stolen by a group of misguided M.I.T. graduate students. They scheme to usher in a global science-based oligarchy. Greed, betrayal, murder, mayhem, spiritual contemplation, and unconditional love define the power-play struggle in this fast-paced suspense thriller of technology gone too far. As the death toll mounts, will Chase Manhattan and a multi-faceted cast of characters escape their hit list and destroy the discovery which threatens life as we know it? 


Why I like it:


Full of heart-stopping action!  Lots of chasing, suspense-filled book.  If you love Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft, you'll see a few Lara Croft-like women in this novel by Stephen Tremp.  Chase Manhattan, the main character, is surrounded by them.


What makes it interesting is how well-researched the book is.  It is amazing how it tells about parallell universes, wormholes and time-travel.  It left me wondering, asking myself the 'hows' and 'what-ifs.'  I love this kind of story.  It's fast-paced.  Yes, the kind that will take you to the edge of your seat.  I know it's a cliche but how else would you describe an exciting book such as this?



More Info:


Breakthrough, the first book in the Adventures of Chase Manhattan series, begins with a big bang and offers the audience exciting, unique, and diverse heroes and villains. The result is a fresh suspense thriller series integrating elements of greed, betrayal, passion, lust, unconditional love, coming of age, and hope. The action is swift. There are numerous  twists and turns that will keep the reader turning the pages and wanting more.


Breakthrough is available for download to the Barnes and Noble Nook, Sony Reader, Apple iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad, and Google Android at Smashwords and for the Kindle at Amazon.


Disclaimer:  I received a free electronic copy of the book from the author for an honest review and I was not compensated for this review.

A Nice Natter with Author Glynis Smy

It has been more than six years since the day I began blogging.  Around that time, I came across Author Glynis Smy and we became blog friends.  Then there was a gap somewhere and we lost touch.  When we found each other the second time around, it took awhile for me to realise that we had been friends for awhile!

Now, I am so honoured to have her on my blog!  I give to you, Author Glynis Smy!

Glynis Smy (GS):  Hello Len. Thank you for sharing me on your blog today.

Len:  Hello, Glynis! Thank you for sparing me some time for a cup of coffee, lots of cakes and a lovely chat! Here's my first question....What part of the world do you live and write in?

GS:  I was born in the UK and moved to Cyprus in 2005. I live in a hillside, rural village. My home is surrounded by vineyards, and I consider myself very fortunate. I did write an article about my new life if anyone is interested in reading it. http://trifter.com/europe/cyprus/village-life-polemi-and-stroumpi-paphos-pafos-cyprus/

I don't know why I want to ask you this but I'm curious...do you have any pets?

GS:  We most certainly do. When we emigrated we brought over our Cairn Terrier, Jakeyboy. We then did some voluntary work for a dog pound. We were captured by a tiny one-eyed dog we called, Ginny. Lucy captured our hearts the following month. Then we got a cat, Fluff. Along came Max, he was a hunter’s puppy who had been treated cruelly. He collapsed outside our home four years ago. Four dogs, one cat, an aviary and a fish tank. I bet you regret asking now!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time when you are not writing?

GS:  One of my hobbies is card making. I raise money for a small hospice ward here in Cyprus by selling my greetings cards. I also cross stitch. During the summer I will swim and snorkel.

Who are the authors you emulate or that inspire you?

GS:  There are so many who inspire me. To name a few: Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bronte, Catherine Cookson, Barbara Erskine, Ken Follett and Jodi Picolt all weave stories I envy. I started out hoping to write like Catherine Cookson. However, I found my own style and it is nothing like her work at all.

Any favourite books? Favourite authors?  And why?

GS:  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I love the emotional waves in the book. Sadness from death and joy from kid gloves, the boy next door and other events, gave me equal amounts of wow factor while reading the book. I never found a flat moment. I envy her talent.

Any book on writing you'd like to recommend to aspiring authors out there?

GS:  I found The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass and turn to it often for clarification or inspiration. Recently I downloaded Nail Your Novel by Roz Morris, and have found it very useful. I am also big fan of the website The Grammar Girl.

Can you tell us about your books and the challenges you met on the road to publication?

GS:  When I turned 50 I held my first book in my hand. From My Heart Inside My Head. I had achieved a dream. It was a gift to myself, I self published my poetry as a private project. To my surprise I have sold several copies and not all to family. After I had finished the second,Sticky Sandwiches, I started scribbling notes for a short story. However, a little character called Chewy Chester crept into my brain and I had to write his little ABC story, Chewy Chester Meets Wallis Worm. It is not glamorous, but it was a little itch I had to scratch. I self published him and put the story to bed. I returned to my short story and realised it was going to be rather large for a short story. I had written 50, 000 words. I gave it a title and carried on writing. Ripper, My Love, ended up over 80,000 words long. It has just spent the past few weeks being torn apart. The edits have paid off and a stronger story has emerged. It is my hope to find an agent. If not I will self publish just to hold a copy in my hand.

One of my challenges was the fact I sadly lost my mentor to cancer. Jan had been my guide from short story to novel. Life is good though, I have some brilliant support now and have hope for RML. It is a Romance Suspense. It started out as an Historical Romance, but me being me, added a twist. The twist changed the genre.

My second novel, Maggie’s Child is a Historical Romance novel I wrote during NaNoWriMo. I love the story and am chomping at the bit to edit it, but it must wait its turn.

You write poetry, children's books and historical romance, how do you switch from one to another?

GS:  My poetry comes and goes depending on my mood. I work on the children’s stories when I am struggling with my adult work. They are so different it is like a change of scenery.

Do you have a special routine before and when you are writing?

GS:  I didn’t think I had, but now you ask I realise I do have a slight one. I get up and have breakfast with DH. While he is checking out his aviary, I rush around with fresh air spray, polish and disinfectant to con him I have cleaned house. The washing machine is stuffed to the gills and the dogs thrown around the vineyard. Another coffee is called for, then it is check email, log onto twitter and Facebook time. I Facebook a message to my three children. Then switch to my ‘author’ account, say hello to my writer friends. By about 9am I open my files and write. I come up for air and a play on Facebook every now and then. I am fortunate, my writing day is my own.
(Thank you for providing a photo of your very neat work space, Glynis!)


How do you deal with writer's block?

GS:  I write. As crazy as it sounds, I just write for half an hour, about anything. A fantasy shopping list, what I would buy if I had money. I literally write anything. It opens up the pathway and sometimes it produces a poem. When I have done that I go for a walk and draw in fresh air. It is amazing how the urge to get home and write comes back. If I am really struggling, I sit in the hills and just relax. I never let block get to me. However, I am not on a deadline so it is easy for me to say that.

Oh I love that idea, just write anything! Thank you, Glynis!  Anything you'd like to say to fellow writers and aspiring authors out there?

GS:  Thank you, Len.  I would like to say to all, follow your dream and enjoy it. Never make it a chore or you will lose the joy. Good luck to those who have agents, publishers or are self publishing. I wish you all high sales. To aspiring writers...write. Just write it down, never hesitate or hold back. Let it out. We are waiting to read your work.

Glynis, what a lovely way to end this interview.  All the best to you and your writing, too!  

Now, let me get some more coffee....and oh, would you like to try some cheesecake? It's yum! ☋

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If you aren't following Glynis yet, hop to her blog!  Please click HERE.
Note:  Glynis is also known as Nissi Peters.  Hop to Glynis' other blog HERE.


To purchase any of Glynis' books, please go to lulu.com


They are also available on Amazon.com

My little piece of heaven

Some of you may already be aware that my son J has complex needs.  He doesn't walk.  He doesn't speak. I think I've written in one of my posts how I waited for milestones that never happened.  I waited and looked at the calendar each month, each year.  Then I stopped counting.

He was three years old when he held a feeding bottle.  He was four when he began to roll over.  Yes, when other three year olds and four year olds were learning to read and write, my son was only beginning to roll over.  Then he stopped doing them due to the intractable seizures.

I haven't given up though.  Because my husband and I talk to him each day and lately, we have been encouraging him to say 'Ahhh.'  This has been for a few days now, or maybe a week or so.

A few days ago, we got a response from him.

Yes.  A response.  After so many years of waiting.  I got a response.

He opened his mouth whilst in a lengthy gaze as I said 'ahhh' in front of him, asking him to copy me.  He moved his lips and opened his mouth like he was going to say 'ahhh'....but no sound came.  But he opened his mouth!  HE DID! Then he did it again, not once, not twice but several times.  With me.  Then with his Dad.

I got all misty-eyed.  I couldn't believe it! *Sigh*

I got a piece of heaven.

There's something there.  I know there is.  One day I know I'm going to see it.  It maybe wishful thinking but I know J is in there and he wants to come out.  I'd like to see it one day.  And hear his voice saying something.  Even if it's only to say 'Ahhh.'

Yes, that is heaven enough for me. And I'd like another piece of it someday.

"The most important things in life aren't things." -
Anthony J. D'Angelo

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Have you heard of Carly's story? I found it on the internet, let me share it with you: