Creating Story Ideas

I'm amazed at how simple ideas pop into my head at any given time. While driving, while on the treadmill, while sleeping, and while watching TV.

Friday evening my husband and I were watching Pawn Stars. I love this show as people bring in the most amazing items to sell to the guys. And, of course being the writer I am, every item has a story whether real or imagined in my fascinating brain. I think I drive my husband a little nutty with my notebook in hand, furiously scribbling while watching the show. He has yet to ask what I'm doing. I'll write down a story idea for each item I think has that perfect story behind it.

So, I thought it would be fun (and a little brain stretching) to list three objects where everyone can pick one and create a story idea. I'll begin.

Here are the three objects to choose from:

1. 1880 $2 Gold Canadian coin

2. 1789 Acts of Congress Book

3. 1986 Apple Computer


I'm picking the 1880 $2 gold coin which my hero has won in a hand of poker. He's never won anything before in his life and he thinks it will bring him luck. Which it does-he wins various material items and money, BUT what he soon realizes is it's also a curse! Complete involuntary celibacy! His playboy ways seem to be ending. Until he remembers the enchanting witch by the oceanside he'd met a couple of days before the poker game. He goes to her hoping she can make heads or tails from his problem.

My enchanted heroine has known this playboy for some time now, watching him break girls hearts wherever he goes, including a close friend. She had to teach him a lesson. She found where he frequented the most and realized he enjoyed a hand of poker every now and again. She'd turned herself into 'one of the guys' long enough to ensure he would win the gold coin she'd put the curse on. But, of course as he comes to ask for her help, she realizes his charm is hard to resist. She doesn't want her heart broken so she leaves the curse in place hoping he'll end his old ways and maybe settle for one woman....her.

Have fun and stretch your brain some. If you feel uncomfortable, you don't need to post yours if you don't want to.

I may do this every Saturday. Let me know your opinion.

Changes Abound

Yup, that's right. My life is going through some little changes and making it all challenging. I had already mentioned it all in the last blog post. So, here's some updating.

Apparently, the doctors can't come to a definitive due date as they keep changing it. Now, it's Dec. 28th. But, since that was with an ultrasound, maybe that will be the date. As you can see, I posted the pic of him/her. My son says it looks like a gummy bear. I'm inclined to agree.

I've put in my notice at the full time job. My last day is Friday. Hopefully, the motorcycle shop will turn around.

I did manage to write 1985 words this past weekend. Today I got in 684 words. I'm at Chapter Six and am getting into the story. I have to force myself not to do any editing until June. That's so hard for me. So, I plow forward full steam ahead and hopefully I can get this book finished in the next 6 days. That'll be an all weekend project and hopefully I can pull it off with Memorial Day and all.

In case I don't post again on Sunday, Happy Memorial Day everyone. I'm going to see Joe Nichols at Freedom Weekend Aloft in town this Saturday night :)

A Little Procrastination-Alot of Life

I had every intention of keeping up with the twice a week blog posts after the Blog Challenge. Then, life happened.

Let me say I am still working toward my goal of writing twice a week-Wednesdays and Sundays. So, why am I posting today? Because I need to devote a huge amount of time tomorrow toward my writing.

First, I found out that my daughter will be having a bundle of joy (and future payback for her of course-this would make a very long blog post in itself) around December 31st. Maybe with any luck, he/she will be born on New Year's Day.

Second, I've been working a full time job, waking up at 5am and after work, I go down to the motorcycle shop to deal with it for a bit most days. And I spend half of Saturday there usually. If I'm not down there, then it's the house cleaning, running after children or for them. By the time I'm done at 7:30 pm, I can't usually write being too tired. To fix this problem, I guess I'm giving my notice at the full time job (also because who we hired as manager at the shop isn't doing his job at all), return to the shop and at least there, I have a better chance at writing. (No more 5 am for me).

Third, there shouldn't be any excuses why I haven't been able to just say, "I need my own time." and be able to do that.

Since my last post, I haven't written a whole lot, so I'm attempting to devote pretty much the whole weekend to writing (of course, as much as my family will allow.)

Wish me luck!

Happy Mother's Day!

I have decided to post twice a week in order to keep up on everything and not bore the heck out of you. It'll be Sundays and Wednesdays. Seeing as how tomorrow is Mother's Day, I'm posting today.

First thing-Happy Mother's Day to all my fellow Moms. My mother is 83 years old and one strong kick-ass mother. She's still working part time-she simply amazes me. She has nine of us rugrats, 22 grandkids, 10 great-grandkids, and ALL of the inlaws too. We have a pretty large family and she is most definitely the cornerstone of it. She's my best friend and my rock. And I'm sure with all of the experiences she's had to endure from us 9, nothing shocks her and she has probably lived through it all.

Second-my word count for the week over at May Bootcamp sorely lacked greatness. I'll be plugging away this weekend to get my numbers up. But the story is forming nicely and I'm enjoying writing it. Will give you all the story blurb by next Sunday.

Lastly, I'm enjoying the blog hop. I'm meeting more great people and some awesome blog sites. If I don't get to every one that I've begun following, I will attempt to at least once a week.

Have a great Mother's Day!!!

Day Three

Today wasn't any better. Lol. Got to find a way to balance the work and the writing.
So, tomorrow's plan is to write some at lunch and some after work. That may bring the total up some.

Today's total: 490. I know that it's better than not writing at all. My H/h don't seem to want to participate and get along with me today. Will 'whip' them into shape!! Wish me luck.

Day Two: May Bootcamp

I must say Day One was easier as it was Sunday, and I didn't have to work. I manage 1614 words. As for today, I worked, so the most I managed was 764 words. Whew. Hopefully I'll be better tomorrow.

Until then....

The A-Z Blogging Challenge Reflections Post

Wow, what a month! I have successfully completed the A-Z Blogging Challenge and am very proud of myself and everyone else who also completed it! Yay us!!!

It has been such a great opportunity for me to have been involved in the Blogging Challenge. Thank you goes out to the people who made the challenge possible:

Arlee Bird Tossing It Out
Alex J. Cavanaugh Alex J. Cavanaugh
Candace Ganger The Misadventures in Candyland
Jeffrey Beesler Word of the Scribe
Jen Daiker Unedited
Talli Roland Talli Roland
Karen J. Gowen Coming Down the Mountain
Stephen Tremp Breakthrough Blogs

I've discovered lots of blogs and have met some wonderful people from all around the world.

The biggest change in myself involving my blog is consistency. I'm more disciplined in posting daily. I've also learned how to narrow down on a topic quickly and stay focused on my goal for the blog post.

Was there anything I didn't like about the challenge? Well. not really. Finding the time was a bit tricky at first, but I discovered how to post ahead and schedule those posts. It made my life much easier.

What did you learn from the challenge? The best thing about it? The worst? And will you do it again next year?

Day One of Savvy Authors Bootcamp

I love challenges. They keep me motivated and encourage serious creativity. So, I'm jumping right in again one day after the A-Z challenge ending. This month's challenge is writing a first draft of a novel in 30 days. The minimum word count is 2000 words per day, so I'd write 60,000 words, a full novel, in 30 days. Since I'm writing a novella, I'll be done much sooner and will be able to apply the rest of the month's count toward another novella, Boneknapper, and quite possibly finish it up.

In June, it's a month's worth of revisions! Whew! But, with my fingers crossed (maybe I should throw a little salt over my shoulder), I should by all accounts have TWO novellas done. Providing something crazy doesn't go on in my life :( I'm warding off all bad mojo for the next two months!!!

I'm very excited to start the challenge-no procrastination I tell myself. Now, I'll begin.......

PS I'll keep up posting daily here.