Inspiration...

Where do you get your ideas for your stories? I get this question often. It's a great question, but I never seem to have a solid answer.

The truth is, it varies.  My current manuscript that I'm working on popped into my head, while flipping through a Christmas card magazine. I saw this picture of an old, snow covered house. For some reason, I just couldn't seem to shake this image. It was stuck in my head. I tried to flip the page and continue looking at the other cards, but I just kept flipping back to the page with this picture. Finally, I cut it out and placed it into a folder.
Most people would look at the picture and think, oh, that's a nice old country farm house. The house looks warm and inviting. It would maybe bring up images from spending Christmas at a relatives house, one who may have lived in the country.

But for me, as a writer. I didn't just see just a house. A movie reel started up in my brain and I saw the intro.... A boy walking down a dark road, in the snow, heading towards this house. However, this was no ordinary boy. He was from another dimension, on a mission and would soon turn this town upside down. Forever changing the lives of people that lived there.

I love writing. I love the whole creative process. I get ideas from driving down the street, people watching, news, magazines, & dreams. I always have the "What If?,,," on my mind.

Publication is a great thing. But even if NYC never grabs one of my manuscripts. I'd still write. Why? Because it's just in me to do. I enjoy it. Even the times I'd gotten so frustrated and quit, it didn't last. I was back at it again. I know several people who for whatever reason cannot understand why someone would sit at computer and type for hours at a time. Writing is not for everyone. Although, I do believe that everyone has at least 1 book in them to write. It's the actual sitting down and writing that stops so many people. And sometimes you just need a push to get started. I'm thankful, that my daughter pushed me to finally start, after putting it off for years.

I, on the other hand can't understand how someone can watch TV for hours at a time. Day in and day out, one talk show after another. One prime-time show, after another. Gah!! It'd drive me crazy!  (Well, unless it's HGTV's House Hunters...I could watch that all day long LOL!! )

So, where do you get your creative ideas? Where do you find your inspiration?

Fitness...

"The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results."
-Anthony Robbins


"Ultimately, the only power to which man should aspire is that which he exercises over himself."
-Elie Wiesel

It's that time of year again. It's time for me to lose a few pounds. I'm not as bad as the biggie-sized wonder woman.. But there are days when I feel like it. If you've been following my blog you already know that I have a serious weakness for Nutter Butter bars and Little Debbie Nutty bars.

This is especially true when I'm writing. There is something about the creative process that triggers my brain to want nutty bars! I've even tried keeping healthy snacks around when I'm writing, and it hinders my creativity...I know you don't believe this, but it's true! LOL!! Needless to say, I've been writing up a storm here lately, so, uh, yeah. I've gained a few pounds.

But I have decided to do something about it. I've started back on my workout program. Yep, time to sweat! Feel the burn, baby! I've done INSANITY in the past and I enjoyed it, but I'm going to change up this time around. Maybe do a combo of INSANITY and Body Pump workouts. I'm also wanting to start running again. We will see if the running actually happens LOL!!   

I tend to get bored easily with workouts. I've also tried P90x and after a while I was bored and wanted to do something else.  I have a gym membership, but I find that I work out much harder and longer at home. Besides I have a mini-gym at my house. Equipment, weights, dvd's that I've acquired over the years. I really have no excuse not to work out.

I'm finding as I get older, the easier it is to just not exercise. I really used to enjoy working out, but not so much anymore. But it's one of those necessary evils you have to do!

Are you ready to sweat!!!

Giants...

This is my dog Rocky. Weighing in at a sturdy, rock-solid 4lbs. He goes outside throughout the day, minding his business, while he handles his business.  However, lately, not sure about where you live, but here in Texas, we're currently under attack by ginormous mooosquitos!!

Okay, technically it's not a mosquito but a crane fly. But in my mind they're giant-monster mosquito's. It's only March and these things are everywhere. Ugh! (I'm afraid of all creepy crawler types)

My poor dog, looks at the monster, then looks at me, looks at the monster, looks at me. He probably thinks these things will attack him. I try to assure him they will not, and to hurry up and finish what he needs to do, moreso cuz momma's scared of them!

Whether they're crane flies, finances, sickness, or goals. They can appear as giants to you, something to  make you fearful and we all know that---

F.E.A.R = False, Evidence, Appearing, Real. 

At times when you look at certain things in your life, it seems too big, a giant, that cannot be conquered. But it's all about perception and you really have to take time and put your 'giant' into perspective. Put the fear aside and look at "it" from a realistic point of view. You may just realize it's not so big after all and you can just stomp on it!

 Voilà...giant squished-problem solved.

What giants are in your life, house, yard, school, or work that you're afraid of? What's keeping you from pursuing your goals?  I've always heard that the fear of failure is a major hindrance in peoples lives. However, did you know that the 'Fear of Success' is also a major issue for some?

“Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain” Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of those days...

Ever wake up late, and just know that it was going to be one of those days...
You wake up late, can't find your car keys, you've lost your purse, the dog won't go into his gated area, the dog throws up, you clean it up, and he still won't go into his gated area. You finally make it out the door, and realize your tank is on "E". You stop, fill up with gas, and finally get on the expressway and you see nothing but brake lights.

You turn on the radio and listen to the traffic report and you're told, they're shutting down the expressway to clean up a spill.

You finally make it to work and you realize one of your shoes feels odd. At that point you realize that you have on two different shoes,  one brown ankle boot and one black ankle boot (Yes, this really happened to me) You call work and tell them you're going to be super late and return home to change your shoes.

What do you do?

A) Get angry, start yelling at the first person that crosses your path?

B) Take it all out on everyone in the office the rest of the day?

C) Buy the family size Nutter Butter bar package, a dozen Krispey Kremes and a diet coke.

D) Laugh it off?

Wow, "C" really at times could be the correct answer. But the correct answer is "D"  Just laugh it all off. You made it to work safely, and it could've been much, much, MUCH worse. 

When you're upset, frustrated and mad at the world and just wanna go off on everyone, take a deep breath, count to 10 and ask yourself. Is it really that serious?

Nope! it's not.

Blessings!