Emotional Storm

I looked out my window this evening to view dark rainclouds in the distance. I heard the sweet sound of rolling thunder and watched flashes of lightning. As a fan of thunderstorms, I was rather disappointed the system remained south. While enjoying the view though, I suddenly had the urge to write about it. Something. Anything. Maybe a poem. Maybe just a short ramble about what it was like. And then I realized...I was enjoying it so much, that I wasn't sure I could adequately put into words what the storm really did to me deep down.

That scenario has happened to me a lot. Sometimes I'd rather dismiss writing my feelings altogether because I believe I simply cannot write those emotions for which there are no words.Yet it's those very same times that if I do make the attempt, a very well-written piece has the potential of being born.

Whether it's a thunderstorm in the sky or a thunderstorm of the heart, emotions churn below the surface. They writhe under the pen, relentlessly clawing their way to the surface. It's those emotions that draw readers in. Grasp their hearts. It's those emotions that have the power to conjure tears or invoke laughter. They connect the writer to the readers. They make the reader feel whole. Human. Vulnerable. Powerful.

One cannot fear penning their emotions. For it is those very emotions that create a piece worth reading.

I looked out my window this evening to view dark rainclouds in the distance. I felt, for a moment, they mirrored my heart. The sun pierced the sky to warm the wall of clouds, but it only made them appear darker, just as laughter by another has the ability to inflict pain when falling upon a wounded soul.

Thunder rumbled like a far-off freight train collision and wind whipped through the trees with the speed of venomous serpents. My breath was taken away at the sheer beauty of the scene. It was a storm that pleased the eye yet had the power to destroy those in its path. I found myself longing to stand in its midst and feel the rain pelt my skin. I wanted to feel the wind and hear the thunder so close that it might bring deafness to my ears. So often in life, the intangible wreaks havoc - I wanted to feel the tangible, if only to be reminded that I'm alive. That even though my soul was numb, my body could still feel and prove that life still flowed through my veins.

The thunder grew distant, and I pried myself from the window. 

Beating or Joining Writer's Block

I watched a movie last night where an author was experiencing writer's block. She did everything from painting, to getting on her treadmill to performing an African dance, just to get her head back in the game. I can't say that I'm quite as exuberant when it comes to overcoming writer's block, but I do try a number of things to clear my mind.

Watching television can either be a help or a hindrance for me. If I'm trying to write, I need to shut it off so I can concentrate. But television or a movie does provide a nice break when I need it, and sometimes it can even feed me new ideas for plots or characters.

Sometimes I turn to my arts and crafts. I make different items like magnets and pendants using my own abstract art. I also create unique designs for t-shirts and the like, for writers, horse-lovers and more. Sketching is something I enjoy as well. Doing these creative activities gets me away from my book, but still keeps my brain active.

Having a flower garden provides me with a nice quiet outlet when needed. While pulling weeds can be somewhat of an annoyance, spending time outside in the fresh air helps me relax. Taking pictures of my flowers is fun as well, and again, it gives me something creative to do away from my writing.

Stress doesn't help my writing at all, so on those particularly hard days, a good physical workout can do the trick. Being involved in martial arts gives me many things to work on both mentally and physically and hitting a punching bag can often help relieve general stress.

There are a million and one things that a writer can do to get their mind back in the game, but sometimes writer's block persists no matter what we try. When those times occur, I try to allow myself to set my book aside and move on to something else until the creativity gets a jump start again. There have been times when my writer's block has lasted a few hours. Other times, it has lasted six months or more. While I try many different things to help keep my mind clear and concentrate on my book, I know that there are times when I need to sit back and allow the plot to simmer, knowing that the end result will be better if I let it be written in its own time.

Just a Casual Update

With a new season comes new inspiration. Or at least that's the way it should be, yes?

I love springtime because finally, finally, the snow and cold are gone. I find myself itching to clean, organize, and, of course, write. Thankfully, I have a perfect place to put my creative juices to use: my current novel.

As I look down at my last few posts (and realize, to my dismay, how little I've said here lately), I see it has been just over a year since I started my unnamed novel. Thankfully, after a long winter dry spell, I'm back into the swing of things, and also up to chapter twenty. My protagonist, Emeline, is progressing nicely, as are two of my main male characters, William and Aylwin. The plot has thickened as Emeline has been forced to flee for her life - not something one might envision when thinking about a princess.

All in all, I'm enjoying writing this fantasy plot immensely. While it's a new genre for me, and has presented some mind-stretching experiences, I love the limitlessness of forgetting about reality and simply basking in my own imagination.

On that same note, it is not only I working on this book, but my partner in creativity, Alicia Kraft. I may put the pen (or keyboard, as it were) to use, but she has provided countless hours of brainstorming and plot forming. She may believe I am joking when I say her name will be going on the cover along with mine. Little does she know that I am indeed going to insist credit where it is due.

I've been kept busy these past few months not only with writing, but with artwork and craft projects - something relatively new to my hobbies. And while I've been horrible and keeping up with this blog lately, I've done a better job on Facebook. So don't forget to visit me there too.

With plans to be back here soon, I'm off to another scene in my novel. My body may be ready for bed at this time of night, but my brain is far from it. Just one more sentence...

Yes, I Am

I can't tell you how many times people come up to me and ask, "So, are you working on a new book?" Or, "Got any new books in the works?" Or simply, "Doing any writing lately?"

My answer? Of course! I don't call myself a writer because I sit and twiddle my thumbs. I've even come to combat that issue with a t-shirt. (Found here) "Yes, I AM working on another book." The theory of this is really quite simple. Although I have to admit - it's taken me a long time to realize it.

You see, for so long, I thought "working" on a book or any other piece required me to actually sit in front of my keyboard and type (or take my pad and write by hand). If I hadn't done either of those for a while, I actually felt guilty when responding "yes" to people's questions as to whether or not I was working on something. I'd stammer with something like, "Well, I haven't done any writing lately, but I do have several books in the wings waiting..." Seriously? I can't believe I fell for the lie that just because I wasn't toiling over my computer it meant I wasn't working on a project.

Only recently did I begin to see the error in that line of thinking. I was making myself feel guilty for not having pencil in hand 24/7. In reality though, I AM working on a book 24/7... or at least close to it.

When not resting my fingers on a keyboard, plots run through my mind. Phrases. Scenes. Characters. Action. Romance. Quotes. It's almost a constant with me. Not a day goes by that somewhere in my mind I'm not hatching new plots or developing characters. This is "working" on my books too.

When ignoring my pencil and paper, I'm giving my brain and creativity a break. Rests are good for the body - why not the mind? When an athlete rests after a five-mile run do they tell people, "No, I'm not running anymore," just because they're not running that very moment? Of course not! Yes, they're still running - they're just taking a breather so their body can recover. It's the same with a writer's mind. Breaks in between actual writing is indeed "working," because those breaks are a necessary part of supporting creativity.

Am I working on a new book? You betcha! I've got more than one going, actually. Does that mean I have to be working on it this very instant? Not at all. Should I allow myself to ignore my writing projects and let the dust pile on top of them just because I like my "break." Obviously, that's not good. But as long as I'm working on my projects in one way or another and still striving to reach the goal of "the end," yes, I AM writing. Yes, I AM working on a new book.

New Project

A new book is in the works. Very different from my previous novels, it's turning out to be quite an adventure... and a bit of a scary one too.

With one chapter written, the book remains without a title. But it is not without purpose. Contrary to my other books, this one will be an allegorical fantasy. There will be a princess in distress. An arrogant king. A sword that cuts to the quick but not the flesh. A noble prince. A dangerous dragon. Unicorns. Fairies. And above all, The Source - the One who made all and is all.

The underlying theme I hope to convey is an ultimate trust in God, and the consequence of being "lukewarm." My choice of not setting things within the realm of reality is to simply enable my imagination to be stretched, and to challenge myself, as a writer, to convey the principles I desire without necessarily being as black and white as my other books have been.

Will I see this project to completion? I hope so. I don't know how long this burst of inspiration will last, but I must pursue it while I can. Updates to come.