Writing a Novel Based on True Events... Should You Do It?

My Grandmother was in town for the holidays and while at my house - freezing and watching my pathetic attempts to start a fire using my first draft - she asked to read a few pages.

I beat around the bush for as long as she'd let me. "I don't know. This is my first draft and my second draft on the computer is so much better."

"Computer?" Grandma isn't a technology friend. "Just give me a few pages."

So I flipped through what was left and found some relatively good pages - safe page - as what I've written about is taken from my life, and a not so nice part of it. She read through what I handed to her, decided that yes, first drafts do suck, and added then to the fire herself.

"See, Grandma. Told ya so."

However, this brought up something rather important. Something that I think everyone should consider when thinking about writing a novel based on a true story or true life events. Especially real life events that instantly make people you know say, "Hey. I know who you're writing about...That's you!"

If you are thinking of taking your life's experiences and putting them into your book, or making the book all about them, there are questions that I think you really need to sit down with yourself and answer...

Do you really want this story to get out?
Because once it's out, it's out. I do admit, though, that writing is the best form of catharsis available. Talk therapy number two. Throwing a temper tantrum where you get to break something number three. So if you are ready and you don't mind others knowing and you want to write a book about it...go for it. Just make certain you are ready.

Are you okay with EVERYONE knowing? Grandmas included?
When you start writing your book about your own true life experiences, you might have all these lofty ideas that you're going to be fine once it all comes out. Because let's be honest, you're not going to show everyone the book until it gets published. And if it gets published? Who cares! You'll be so excited to even notice anyone's curious glances... HOWEVER, let's shed that daydream for just a second. Everyone you know will want to get a copy of your book...and read it. Are you okay with that? Really? Be honest with yourself... Are you?

Alright...What are you okay with them knowing?
Most fiction work is born directly from the author's life experiences. We write what we know. Otherwise there's no authenticity to it and that's when we loose readers. So it's obvious that we all already write 'based on a true story' to some degree. But what parts of what really happened need to be in your book? Remember, you can always leave out bits and pieces and still make it work for your story. Not everything has to be in there. Especially people's names. In the words of Stephen King (paraphrasing, of course) "Unless you want to be sued, use fake ones."

And lastly...What is your comfort level?
Most importantly, keep in mind that you're comfort level TODAY might not be equal to your comfort level a year from today. So when you're sitting down with yourself - minus your pride, inner sensors, and anything else that gets in the way of you being totally open with yourself - really ask yourself about your level of comfort. Think about what you'll feel like a year from now. Five years. Ten. And so on.

Above all, be honest with yourself. And if you're not sure, test the waters. Give a sample to a close friend and hone in on what you feel the moment those pages leave your hands. Do you want to snatch them back and say, "Forget it! Never mind!" Or are you freely giving over your real life thoughts and feelings to others to read, dwell on, talk about, and share with others, so on and so on...

Writing a novel based on true life events can be fun, therapeutic, and useful, in the sense that you already have some of your story outlined for you. Whether or not you should really do it, and whether it will work in your story is up to you.

...

NaNoWriMo Starts Next Week... Are You In?!

In honor of NaNoWriMo, which begins next week, I wanted to take a few lines to try to drive up the excitement that's igniting the air in the writing world. Novel writing world, that is.

NaNoWriMo, for those who are new to it, is National Novel Writing Month. 

A whole month dedicated to getting those words of your story onto the page, screen, notepad...anywhere that gets them out of your head and into written form.  

And it starts November 1st, NEXT WEEK!!! :))) 

The goal of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words in the month of November. You can start a new novel. Continue writing your WIP. Or just start something and see where it takes you, so long as you write 50,000 words by month's end.

How do you write 50,000 words in one month? 

Simple. You just write! And write. And write! Don't stop for edits. Just keep writing! 

At least that's the way most people do it. The whole point is that all first drafts suck. They do, no matter who you are or how great a writer you can be. Even the best of the best admit that their first drafts suck. And who cares if it sucks! It's a first draft! You're not going to publish your first draft, traditional route or self. You'll edit and rewrite and edit and rewrite until it's polished and shined to be worthy of putting your name on the front cover... Unless, of course, you're the author of the unreadable 50 shades of grey and you have no shame... but I digress...

"I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter." 

~ James Michener

I think this is a great quote to remember and keep in mind as you write and attempt to summit the 50K words in a month goal. Just write. Keep up the momentum. Don't turn back until you hit your daily goal, whatever you set it to be. 

For the past NaNoWriMo's that I've done, I've been working on and through Waiting for Paint to Dry. This year NaNoWriMo just happens to coincide with my starting a new project, so it's kismet, perfect timing, and all that jazz! I'm a mix between a "seater" and a "panster" so I've got some notes and a rough outline done'ish for Caught By The Sun, the second in the Bell Sisters Series. 

I'm so excited to get started and can't wait to meet some new writer buddies to enjoy the ride with.Are you coming too?!

Just remember... even if you only write 5,000 words or 10,000 words come November 30th, it's more than most people ever write! 

The whole point of NaNoWriMo is this: just write :)

So sign up for NaNoWriMo today and find writer buddies to enjoy the ride with!

:) 

Removing Toxic People From Your Life

There is a lot to be said about how toxins have a lasting negative effect on your physical health. But what about the lasting effect toxic people have on your mental heath which, in turn, effects your physical health? Where do you draw the line? Is it selfish to remove such people from your life, or is it life saving?

What exactly a toxic person is depends on who you talk to. However the underlying result is always the same: they leave you feeling powerless, vulnerable, and depleted. Feeling this way for long periods of time can be detrimental to your well being.

People who are aggressively physical have obvious toxicity. But what about the subtle types? The ones that ravage you from the inside out?

Someone who:

• takes and never gives in return
• constantly complains
• gossips
• puts you down
• makes you feel guilty
• can only criticize

Honestly, the list can go on and on. So, now that we can pin point these toxics, what do we do with them? I've recently learned what works for me, what helps me stay stress free and toxin free. It's been a health AND life saver:

• Walk Away
  Say, for instance, you are in a room full of people, and someone starts ranting about this or that, complaining about politics or people's lifestyles, and you know - you KNOW - that no matter what you say, however eloquent, you will never change this person's mind...just walk away. You DO NOT have to be there to hear all of the negativity. Your presence is NOT necessary. Leave! Save yourself! Stand up, totally calm. Grab your children nonchalantly and leave the room. Come back in when you know enough time has passed that everyone else in the room has argued till they were blue in the face with the toxic person, to no avail, and the topic has been changed. Phew! You saved yourself from a toxic encounter!
• Take Yourself Out of the Equation
  How about this...There was a huge misunderstanding and, if it had happened with someone who was able to have a normal conversation, it would be done and over with in a calm conversation. Yet your dealing with a toxic person who DOES NOT have such skills. They are gossiping to everyone how you did this and you did that. It doesn't matter if it's false or true, take yourself out of the equation. Don't play the game. Don't counter act all the assaults. Leave. IF need be, say your bit TO the toxic person, just the facts, totally calmly, and then let it go. Chances are everyone else is just as fed up with this person as you are. They will see that it's just another one of this person's tirades and will start to follow you. They too will remove themselves from this person's path, seeing how calm and relaxed you are not being involved with this toxic person. If they don't, it's not your problem. Take care of yourself.
• Take Responsibility
  For your health! It's YOUR health. If you don't take care of yourself, who will? No one. Are you going to continue to let this person shape your life for the worse? Allow yourself to feel the effects of their negativity so much that it is effecting your health? They take and never give. Who is to blame? Them? No! They are always going to do what they do. What they do to YOU is up to YOU. No one else. If you don't want to be treated poorly, don't allow it. Do what you have to do to take control of your life. If that means no longer engaging someone in a conversation because you KNOW it's going to turn sour, don't! If you know that just by being around a certain toxic person brings you down and causes you to feel horrible for days, weeks later, then limit or restrict your contact with that person. You are in charge of your life, of you. Don't let others bring you down. You have to take care of your health so that you can take care of all the other things and people in your life you are responsible for.

So, there you have it. My quick tip list for dealing with the toxins in your environment.

There are many other ways in which you can save your sanity and your health. If you have any additional ideas and tips, please share! We can all use additional tools in our arsenal against our toxic common enemy.

Giving In & Letting Go...How to Open Yourself Up to Possibilities in Healing

I've been thinking about the importance of some of the crap we humans have to endure and survive lately. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. People who play by the rules. People who say please and thank you. People that just do good and are good. I mean, honestly, don't we all find it crazy making to witness lightning striking in the path of good people.

Yet...does lightning ever ask?
Or does it just strike?

Good people, bad people. It strikes us all. It's simply a part of life, like it or not.

And we could willy-nilly go on accepting that lightning will strike us and those we know at random times during our life. For the most part, I think we all do just accept it and move on. Except when the big ones hit. Then we want to know why. Demand to know why. To what end did this happen? How does something bad happening to someone good fit in the grand scheme of things?

Because, honestly, humanly, horrible things happening to anyone doesn't seem to make any sense...

Only, once we start down the worn road of questioning the Universe, this Great Mystery we call life, it's easy to get bogged down in the wondering and the why'ing. How on Earth are we to think positively - or better yet, find a way to accept and move on - from the lightning that strikes in our lives and in the lives of those we know and love?

This is the main ingredient I've been chewing on lately. Do we just dwell in the darkness of the why's? Because that's easy to do. Forget life. Forget God. Forget ever breaking back into the light. I know. I've been there. Seen many people I know and love get stuck.

Yet, and this might be a stretch for some, but....there's something to having the unthinkable happen to you. Forget all the, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger/weirder," sayings. What I'm talking about it is much greater. And can help you live through and move on along your healing journey.

You just have to do One. Hard. Impossible. Thing.

Give in.

Give in to the possibility that it - everything - is meant to be. Meant to happen.

I've always believed everything happens for a reason. That belief came after a few big booming lightning strikes took me out of the game for a few years (aka, a decade). To bounce back from them, there was one sure fire way to get back into living and loving life.

BY GIVING IN.

Give in to the possibility that what happened, happened for a purpose...

This can be a hard concept to accept. Why? Because to do so, you have to do one more impossibly hard thing.

LET GO.

Let go of your own concept of what life is.
Let go of who you think is in charge.
Let go of the could-have-been's in your life.

There comes a time - and sometimes, many times - in our lives that we are presented with a notion, a thought, an arbitrary line of thinking, that maybe, just maybe, things could have been different. Life - its ups and down, its challenges, its crosses to bear - could have been different. Would have been.

If only I had made that one choice differently...things would have turned out, different.

Let Go.

Let go of the past. Let go of the could have been... Let go.

and

Give In.

Give in to the notion that something great can and will come of this.

I know. This took me years to accept, discover. Sometimes, it's insanely hard to fathom something good coming out of something bad.

Yet...

The only way to find light in darkness - no matter the saturation- is to let go of the darkness. Let go of the wondering, the why'ing. Why me? Why now? Why? Why? Why? If you don't let go, then questions and worry will be all you ever have. All that will ever be brought to you.

What you put out into the Universe, the Universe sends back to you.

If you let go and give in, something extraordinary will happen. It can happen right away...or it can happen years from now. And that's what may be the hardest thing about letting go: the unknown. You don't know what's going to come of this. Or when. Or how.

Scary.

But you can do it. Let go...

Of your frustrations.
Of your worry.
Of your hope.

Yes, that too. If you're always looking down a path, straining to see the light, hoping you won't miss it, you might not see something glistening off to the side.

So, let go.

And give in.

Give in to any and all possibility. The answer you want, crave, need, may not ever come in the form you desire. That's the importance of letting go; let go of ALL your expectations.

We don't know why bad things happen to us. To anyone. But they are a part of life. By being giving in and letting go, we can help facilitate the healing that is all important to our life and well being.

So, that's your homework. Two really simple impossible things to do...that I know you can do:

1. Let Go.
2. Give in.


Peace be with you, now and always,
Lia Mack

And I'm Back...Tangents And All

HELLO OUT THERE!

So long I've been gone, no?

Lots to talk about, lots of lost time. I stopped writing - blogging, noveling, everything - back in May because, well, let's face it. The ol'brain just wasn't workin' right ;) And I winky-smile after saying that because, well, let's face it. If you can't smile, what's the point?

;)

So, what's new... Well, I've got the house almost to myself right now, and it's silent! Two in school, three taking a nap. The hubby wanted me to brine a whole chicken over night and roast it for dinner, so that's about to get going into the oven. Who ever heard of brining a chicken for 24 hours, I don't know...but I guess I left the TV on the Food Network channel and when Mr. Hubby turned it on to watch football over the weekend...well, let's just say his tummy was inspired.

How many times can I say, "well, let's just say" in a blog post? ;)

I'll stop with the repetition with that one, but not the winky-winks. I'm a winker. A flirt. Got to wink. Got to be comical. Got to be sweet. That's me ;)

Back in High School - in southern Italy, no less - I was called just that. "The Flirt"...as if there weren't any others out there sashaying it up in the halls (well, hall. The school was so small, we only had one hall. 25 people in my graduating class! We were like family...still are! :)

And I'm back...tangents and all.

So, I was "The Flirt" and I loved all the attention that I got from just being me. I know I had no intention on being a flirt, I just love life! I love hanging out with people, no matter who - guys, girls, geeks, greeks - and I think that's where the nickname conjured up from. I didn't live in a clique. I cliqued with everyone :) I did hang out predominantly with one particular clique - "The Ho's" - but that's an entirely different blog post all together! LOL...oh, my...funny funny.

And don't think for a second that they minded at all that they were called the, you know what's. They picked the name themselves! My first day of school, I remember walking down our hall and into a group of happy, pretty smiles. And the biggest smile of them all - a dear friend of mine still to this day - asked with all her wonderful exuberance, "Hey, you're new. You want to be friends with us? We're the Ho's!" And thus a grand gift of friendships was born.

And maybe that's where the nickname came from also. I hung out with my friends who were quite chummy with the guys - our guys, visiting school guys, GI's (our school was on a military base), and so I guess it was assumed that I was equally as chummy. But I had no clue back then what a ho even was. Honestly, I really was that naive and yes, this blonde. Before I moved to Italy, I was back in Colorado climbing mountains and climbing trees. I was a very young 14 when I moved to Italy and had no clue. But I had fun despite it!

Yep. Life as a blonde really is better ;)

Oh, but I learned my lesson eventually, as I'm sure we all do. And a lesson I did learn... Stopped my flirtatiousness for the better of eh, let's say, twenty years. Hurtful people can kill a part of you... Thankfully God was looking out for me all that time, or I'd never have met the brined chicken lover who is the perfect fit to my puzzle.

God - The Universe - always looking out for us. We just have no clue how this puzzle will ever fit together until we see the whole picture.

Which brings me to a fantastic tangent. After quitting all that I love back in May to focus on just trying to live (and I mean it. LIVE. Been pretty unlucky as of late. But don't think that'll hold me down for long. I insist on living, and living WELL. Testa dura...that's me!) I was going to blog about it, but I'd rather focus on the positive - making this shit go away and/or living better with it. No more complaining about it.

Soooo...

Because I'm so blessed, I got to spend a good portion of July out in San Diego visiting my lovely sister-in-law. Oh, and of course my brother :) And would you know it? I felt PERFECT!!! Check out what POTS is all about and at home I have it all - including the hypovolemia.

BUT!! OMG. Out in San Diego?!?!? I was 90% better!!!

90 percent.

Better.

Hello!

So, of course, when I had to leave and fly back to the east coast - where all my POTS symptoms returned in 10 minutes - I told hubby, "We're moving. I can't live like this anymore." I'm young, I have young children, and I refuse to live handicap, ESPECIALLY if I don't have to!!!

Being the practical, factual, logical thinker he is, although he was happy that I could live POTS free, we needed to do some research, make sure it wasn't just seasonal. That I'd feel fine there all year long. It is a pretty big thing to pick up and move cross country with no where to live or work with two kids...

After a bit of a battle of hearts and heads, I simmered down and started to try to see it his way. Okay. I need to know for sure this wasn't just a fluke (ha! as if feeling 90% better instantly is something to second guess...) So, how to get out to Cali at different times of the year to test out my theory.

Think, Lia. Think...

While thinking, I got bored, started surfing the web and updating my facebook page. Had to "Like" San Diego because, hello! It "Likes" me! ;) And while I was on San Diego's facebook page, I saw they were hosting a "200K Likes Contest" with a prize..."Like us, then Like the Hilton at Torey Pines, and you'll be entered to win a 5 night stay at the Hilton!"

Well, gee! That's easy...

Click.

Click.

So I "Liked" San Diego and "Liked" the Hilton too. And kind of whispered to God that, if this move should happen, that it really is the only thing that I can do to feel - live- better, it would be really stellar to win this contest so I could bring Hubby along and Mr. Practical-Logical can see for himself.

AND GUESS WHAT?

GUESS!!!!

:)

I won.

I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG. Or, rather. OTYG - Oh Thank You God! ;)

So, come Spring Break, Hubby and I are flying out to live it up in San Diego. Just the two of us. Like a date! Wow, I'm so excited! He's, of course, dreading seeing the light, therefore he'll have to figure out the move. "Why so practical?!" I say. "Just have fun. We'll land on our feet."

I always do ;)

And I'm planning a quick trip by myself to So Cal this winter, so that takes care of summer, winter and spring. If I feel great all those seasons, I think it's safe to say I'll feel fantastic all year round. Seeing I only get, at tops, a month here (a few weeks in spring plus a few weeks in fall) that I feel good here, I'd say this is a NO BRAINER.

We're going.

But, yes. I married a cautious man, so I will give him two years of dealing with this on the east coast so we have time to figure things out. I can do it. Have been for a while now. That way we're not just jumping blindfolded...although, if you ask me, that's way more fun! ;)

So, yep. I'm excited! ;) Someone asked what would we possibly do - by ourselves - for 5 nights in sunny southern California...

LOL... I love it when people give me a reason to smile, laugh.

So, that's a taste of what's been up. The weather's getting cooler, the humidity is feigning away - Go away! And there's a really hot pair of leopard print pumps in my future. Standing up in a wedding in a few weeks. At a pumpkin festival! The dress is super sweet. Just hope it doesn't snow. The dress is sleeveless and to the knees! However, I look great in it, and the shoes are so awesome, I bet I'll be feeling too hot to care ;)

Oh, and before I know it, Thanksgiving will be here. And I declared last Thanksgiving that the next one, I'd like to host. So, I'm hosting! :) Can't wait.

Hope everyone's doing well out there!

Glad to be back.

:)

Critique Groups...When to Say Good-Bye

I'm free!

I just quit my critique group and I feel so free and alive and able to write and think and be creative again! I started feeling smothered about 6 months ago, but I trekked on, thinking I'd be a quitter if I left. Other people love critique groups, so I should stay, right? I'm learning a lot about good and bad writing, enjoying getting together with other writers, so I should stay, right?

But after the last round of critiques, I knew I had to cut the rope. I no longer heard my characters in my head. I couldn't think of one new story idea, when before I'd usually come up with one or two a day, just out of no where. My creativity was dying. For the past 3 months, I haven't been able to think of anything. No new ideas, no new characters, nothing!

So I decided to just do it. FOR ME. I knew it was the right thing for ME to do and for MY writing. I just felt like my writing style and voice were being distracted, changed... Although I learned how to edit thoroughly and how to just get to the point, say what I wanted to say in my writing, I no longer heard/felt my writing. I knew I'd miss the writing friendships I made, but I also knew it was time to move on.

Do I regret quitting?

The moment I drove away from my final meeting, a new story idea popped into my head. And I felt I could breathe again, write for myself again. I felt free.

I don't want to step on anyone's toes, of course. I know some people live by their critique groups. And I applaud every writer for doing for themselves and for their writing what works for them. I do. I did learn some great lessons while in the group - what good and bad writing looks like and how to read for the craft better. 

But I also had to do for myself what works for me. I need to only hear my own voice in my head (and that of my characters). Otherwise I can't do it. I can't take my story where I want it to go. 

Every writer is different. And everyone writes differently.

Taking my time, waiting my turn to be critiqued, waiting to edit based on others input... it all started to feel like 'a hobby', casually going through the motions, taking my sweet ol'time... Personally, I know I'll never get anything done that way. 

I can't go slow. 

That isn't my speed. And I found that when I went slow everything stopped. Internally, externally. I couldn't write anymore. The way I finished my first draft was to write, every day, like a job, taking no breaks, no turns, no excuses.

Yet, every path is part of the process. I tried it out, liked it for a while, then found it wasn't working for me anymore. So, even though I walked away, said good-bye, I know I'm not a quitter. I chose to take charge and get back to treating my writing like a career. To get back to writing for me. Writing every day. Write, write, write.

So, time to get back to work. No more hiatus.

!

The Nook, The Book, & The Hook

My husband and I just celebrated our anniversary. 11 years of blissful love...

Before the big day, my husband said I was going to like the gift he got for me. Many questions later, all I got out of him was that I had 14 days to decide if I liked it or not... and it's electronic...

When I opened my gift a few days later, after mentioning in passing conversation that I never wanted one of those reader thingies, that I love the feel of a real book in hand, I opened my gift - a Nook.

In all sincerity, I tried to act surprised, happy, and interested. He reminded me I had 14 days and if I didn't like it, we could return it. No hurt feelings. He's a guy. Enough said.

I went through the tutorial, almost, but I lost interest. He loves electronics and went about setting it up for me. And I did try to borrow some of his exuberance, yet walking around the house afterwards, seeing all my books strewn about on table tops, night stands, coffee tables, steps, in bathrooms, next to the pool, on the banister, I couldn't help but know in my heart of hearts that I was never going to fall in love with the Nook. It just didn't feel real.

My books, even the wide assortment I borrow from the library and have to give back after I've fallen in love with them, are like friends to me. I enjoy seeing books all around me, piled up, laying about.

And when I see any given one of them - like Real Cajun sitting on the table next to my laptop right now - I am instantly brought back into the past conversations we've had. And with each book, each friend, I have different conversations going on...

Real Cajun by Donald Link
Secrets to Happiness by Sarah Dunn
Effective Writing by Bruce Ross-Larson
Deeper by Megan Heart

These are the titles of my most current friends, and if you look into any of these books, you can see just how varied our conversations are! ;)

Point being, I love a real book. Love to lay them out, pile them high, anywhere along my path, so that in passing I'll see them again, maybe pick one up for a quick moment alone, maybe just daydream a bit about the story inside.

With the Nook, I just couldn't see myself able to do any of that. I'm a visual person. I need to have my books around me, in view. Or I feel I might loose out on that ongoing conversation, forget to pick up a good old friend that I haven't seen in a while because it's conveniently tucked away in some well organized list that I have to go find after turningg something on, recharging something.

It's just not real for me.

And that's what I said to the guy behind the counter when we went to return the Nook a few days later. Bored with it, I hadn't even registered it yet.

"But how do you know you're not going to like it if you don't even try?"

How do you explain to someone that I had already done so, in my head. I'm a writer. I can come up pretty quick whether or not a story line is going to work out. For me, I knew this one wouldn't.

"Most people who said they wouldn't like a reader LOVED it once they actually downloaded some books."

How do you explain to a sales person that you love FREE books from the library.

"But there are millions of free books that you can download into your NOOK!" This was said in a very my gosh, woman, aren't you stupid tone.

How do you explain that you don't CARE about those free books because you just want to happen upon a book at the library, book store, friends house, that looks good.

This was the hook that had caught my darling husband. He thought, frugal mama that I am, would love free books. And I do. I just don't want to have to do so on an electronic device that I have to charge, turn on, find my list, be bombarded with a list of a million books that I can read knowing full well I don't have enough time in my life to do so.

I just like what I like. I like real books.

"Wow. That's a shame." This, said not only by the Nook sales man behind the counter, but also three other Barnes & Nobles workers nearby, listening in on our conversation.

Steadfast in my opinion - I'm in my thirties, I've brought two children into this world sans medical intervention, I've been married for 11 years, I've seen the worst and best life can hand you, and I'm still ticking - I'm allowed to have one. No matter that it doesn't help add to your sales commission or that I'm the only person on earth who thinks this way. I don't doubt myself. I like real books!

And, I've studied advertising psychology. I'm impervious to sales hooks.

So I returned the Nook, purchased a real book, and went home happy. I know plenty of people that are in love with their reader, and I'm happy for them. Everyone deserves to be happy.

How about you?

Do you love the book? The Nook? Both? Or are you still on the fence?

What hooks you?

Maybe sometime in the future I'll try the Nook again, see if it's really the best thing going.
But for now, I see one of my books out of the corner of my eye - one of my friends - calling to me, its book cover my favorite shade of turquoise blue... And maybe after that, I'll look for a good Cajun recipe for dinner tonight inside one of my new friends.

:)

The Cure for Editing Blues...

Editing my novel has been sucking the fun out of writing. I was about to pack it up and call it a day when I got an idea...

and got out my trusty note pad...

and starting plotting...

a new book!

Thinking about new characters, new plot lines, researching different angles... I'm so excited now, all I want to do it edit my novel and get it out the door so I can start a new one!

Haven't thought of a title yet, but here is a quick synopsis of what it will be about...

The secondary character in the first novel is the MC - main character - in the sequel. It's going to be a fun and sexy whirlwind of a book on how to find love over 35, after a failed marriage, being a single mom, and watching your little sister get engaged and live happily ever after while you're not...

This is really helping me edit my novel since I can't start actually writing the second one until the first one is done and out the door!

Editing was sucking the fun out of writing...now with this new book's characters and plot swimming around in my head, I'm excited to write again!

I Love Love... Making Love in a Novel...

Ah, l'amore...

I love love. It's one of my most favorite things in the whole wide world: Love. Attraction. That first kiss...Life would be non-existent without it!

And finally I've gotten back to the point in my novel where it all happens. What do I mean by getting back to it? Well, the 1st draft is written, and I read through it, edited, read through it again, and edited again. Now I'm in the midst of editing it a third time. Once you finish one round of edits, all the way back to the beginning you go...

Now, why would I dread going back to the beginning of my own novel? Quite simply, editing all the bla bla sad story stuff is getting me down in the dumps! It was hard enough writing it the first time!

But sometimes - well, ok, most times - it's essential to have all the bla bla sad story stuff. Without it, what would be the point of conquering all your deamons and coming out of hell a bigger, better, bad ass?

Eleanor Rosevelt eloquently once said, "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."

The thing I think I cannot do right now is stop blogging and start editing with vengeance! Blogging just so damned fun...

Ok, Lia, focus!

Did I accomplish something today? Yes. I just finished editing chapter 8 and half of chapter 9...Chapter 9 is when they first meet! I stopped at the second blush... ;) I might rearrange the chapters again, putting their first meeting closer to the beginning. I'll see what the 4th round of edits brings about...

My June writing goal is to finish editing at least another eight chapters, if not ten, getting me halfway through. I'll be taking a trip to the actual location - by wonderful chance! - where most of my novel takes place. Good thing too, I haven't been there in five years! Can't write descriptive detail about something - or somewhere- you haven't seen in a while...

My ultimate summer writing goal is to finish editing this 3rd round, edit an additional 4th and 5th round, write that dreaded query letter, and send it off before the last day of summer... An auspicious task, but I think it's doable.

I'll just have to edit first, blog second...

;)

Camping Out in Mommyland

So Many Camps, so Many Opinions, Where to Pitch My Tent?

On my way to motherhood, I came upon many camps of thought surrounding birth. There was the "get an epidural" camp and the "induce your labor" camp, which were right next to the "opt for a c-section" camp. However, I knew that I didn't belong to any of these interventionalist camps. So I ventured over to the "just go natural" camp and found freedom in following nature's course.

After the birth of my son, I felt at ease having found my camp. I rested my eyes with my son nestled to my side and fell into a beautiful slumber. Little did I know that, upon waking from my two-hour nap, I would be looking upon many more camps of thought. The "are you going to breastfeed" camp came into view, and split before my very eyes into numerous camps such as the "just colostrum then quit" camp, the "exclusive breastfeeding" camp, "supplement with formula" camp, the "on demand" camp, to "pump" or "not to pump" and "return to work" camp...the questions and opinions were overwhelming

Thankfully I had read the La Leche League's Womanly Art of Breastfeeding book and, after a few bumpy months, found my ground again to "just go natural". I let my son tell me when he was hungry and how long he wanted to nurse. Again, I found freedom from worries, calculations, and schedules in following nature's course.

However, after a few trips to the pediatrician's office my eyes were opened to many more camps on the upcoming horizon. The "let him cry it out" camp emerged, along with the "vaccine, yes or no" camps, the "co-sleeping" camp which was at odds with the "you"ll never get him out of your bed" camp. "Attachment parenting"..."Detached parenting"..."semi-attached parenting"..."sears", "Ferber", "Dr. Jay"... Never in my dreams did I think there was so much controversy to raising a child. So many camps, so many opinions - where to pitch my tent?

Being a new mother had its own challenges, both physical and emotional. I just didn't have the time nor energy to take it all in and decide where to go. To make it easier for myself, I chose to find the easiest path and start hiking. So, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and listened to my heart and instincts. I took baby steps and didn't second guess or question what I felt. I blocked out the chanting from the camps all around me and trekked on.

Amazingly, I found a map!

A map deep within myself. The blue-prints were there all along. I just had to close out all else and listen to my instincts, my heart. If I felt pains watching my baby cry and I wanted to pick him up, I did. I didn't look to a book for advice on what to do or listen to "experts." I just did it. If I felt uneasy having my nursling in a crib in the next room and couldn't sleep without him cuddled against me, I went and brought him to bed with me. I didn't brood over what the pediatrician told me about tried-and-true methods of the past 50 years. I just listened to my instincts. I followed my own nature's path.

After again finding "my" camp - a camp centered on listening to my own maternal instincts - I have found it easier to navigate my way through the camps of Mommyland. I know that the camps that I've come upon in the short 10 months since I've had my son are only the beginning. Already I can hear the chants from the "toilet-training" camp, the "home schooling" camps, and the "you're still doing THAT?!" camps...

Thankfully, I know now how to find my way through it all, and I'll take each hill and mountain as they come. The instincts are there and I just have to remind myself to trust them enough to show me the right path.

I wrote this long ago. It's appeared many times since online, originally in VegetarianBaby Magazine. Had to 'replay' it :)

The Breastfeeding Promotion Act... Mark your calendars & meet me in DC!

Back in 2005, I drove down to DC with my little breastfed baby boy, popped him in my sling, and waltzed onto Capitol Hill to show support for the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. It was an awesome afternoon indeed, full of nursing mothers, breastfed babies, lactivists, speeches, cheers, and a powerful showing of our joined support for the Act that would surely help protect nursing mothers in the workplace.

Again in 2007, I the made the same pilgrimage, this time with my little breastfed baby girl in the sling, toddler boy at my feet, and my sister-in-law and her baby girl too. (We actually appeared in the following issue of Mothering Magazine, sitting on the steps of the Cannon Building where the press conference was held - my beautiful daughter in my lap, me reattaching the clip on my nursing bra...yeah, it was a Kodak moment alright...)

So, why do I mention all this, you ask?

Well, guess what's coming up? (For those of you who are mathematicians, yes, it happens every two years). And this year - 2009 - the date to mark on your calendars to join in support of The Breastfeeding Promotion Act in Washington, DC is June 3rd @ 11:30am.

The Breastfeeding Promotion Act is to be reintroduced on June 3rd by Rep. Maloney's (NY). The following is from mama Lorrie Leigh who has been asked to coordinate an activist presence at the press conference that day. Below is the email she is trying to make go viral to all parenting lists, blogs, communities. Feel free to pass this on...spread the word!


To all breastfeeding activists/lactivists/concerned citizens!

Rep. Carolyn Maloney is going to reintroduce the Breastfeeding Promotion Act to Congress in June. With a change in leadership in both Houses and a White House that is attuned to work/life balance issues, this year we need to push hard for passage!

The Breastfeeding Promotion Act will:

• Add breastfeeding mothers in the workplace as a protected class under the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Provide incentives for employers to have private lactation areas for workers
• Create a performance standard for breastpump equipment
• Create tax deductions for pumping equipment
  

Rep. Maloney and other co-sponsors will hold a press conference on June 3rd at 11:30am on the Cannon Terrace at the Cannon Building on Capitol Hill. Once again we are gathering as large a presence as we can to attend the press conference in support of the bill.

Here is what we need from all who care about this issue:

1. First, we need you to contact your Rep. in the Congress (find him or her here http://www.house. gov/ ), this week, and ask them to sign on as a cosponsor of the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. The more cosponsors a bill has, the more attention and support it garners. We need all 435 Representatives to know how important this bill is to the 70% of mothers who work and may desire to breastfeed once they go back to work. So call AND email your Representative and ask to speak to a legislative aide today.
   
   
2. Second, we need anyone within driving distance of Washington, D.C. to make plans to join us on June 3rd at 11:30 am on the Cannon Terrace at the Cannon Office Building, Independence Avenue and 1st Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. You can drive in if you are willing to come early enough to hunt for parking spot south of the Cannon Bldg. or take Metro to the Capitol South station on the Blue/Orange lines. This link shows a picture of the terrace where we will meet: http://www.visiting dc.com/capitol/ ca...ng-address. htm
   
   We need pregnant and nursing mothers, their supportive partners, grandparents and all your cute little nurslings and toddlers to join us that day for the press conference. At previous introductions of the bill we have had between 100-200 attendees at the press conference. We would like an even bigger showing this year. It is very important that you RSVP to wchappel@myexcel. com with the number of adults/babies/children attending so we can be prepared (and have enough kid friendly snacks/drinks on hand). And so that I can email final details to all the night before the event.
   
   
3. Third, we need everyone who attends to plan on visiting the offices of their Representative in Congress immediately after the press conference, to personally appeal to them to throw their support behind the bill and sign on as an original co-sponsor. Don't let the opportunity to have face to face interaction with your legislators pass you by. Last time I went I had a very spirited conversation with a young female legislative aide who clearly didn't understand why her boss should care about this bill. The House of Representatives link above will give you the address of their Washington office. All of the legislative office buildings are clustered near Cannon Office Building. If you call ahead you can make an appointment (I would suggest you make an after lunch appt. time and go get some lunch with your kids after the press conference) to speak to someone.
   

Lastly, if you have a workplace lactation discrimination story you would like to share at the press conference please email wchappel@myexcel.com immediately. The speakers lineup is being put together now and some mothers may be invited to talk about their own stories.

This is the year to get this done! Please forward this message to every breastfeeding, parenting, working parent list and group to which you belong, just keep the contact info intact."

Thanks all,
Lorrie Leigh, AAHCC



feel free to copy the above and spam all your green lactavist friends!

Here's to a great turn out ;)

When Rituals Die...

I just realized something. I am not following any of my writing rituals that I had so minutely assembled in order to write. I'm sitting here, editing chapter four, and there are no candles...no snack...no nothing!

A year ago today, I was in the early days of starting to write my first novel. However, in order to actually sit down and write, I first needed to drink some water. Then see what I had to buy in order to restock the pantry. Then I had to make sure the kids were still asleep...maybe I'd give them one more peck on the cheek...hmmm...didn't wake them up...

Ok, so then I had to select a snack...a bowl of almonds? chips and dip? popcorn? Oh, yes, popcorn would do. Then I had to find a candle...

The ritual would take about twenty minutes to do...and then I'd finally sit down to write...maybe...

However, here I am, sitting with no candle, no snack, and I'm just writing...well, editing what I've already written (and converting a 3rd person POV to a first person, so yeah, I'm rewriting). And I'm able to do a whole lot more writing now without all the fancy preparation than I was a year ago...

So this leaves me with a question...

Have I reached some sort of writing plateau? is it confidence? It sort of feels like confidence... But why? I mean, here I have this 165K first draft that I have to edit to 100K, make it readable to others outside myself, and then edit it again...and again...and again.... Where is all this cockiness coming from? That I can just sit down without paying homage to the writing gods and just...write?

It's like mountain climbing, when you have the peak in sight and you know you'll be there in a few hours. You just get this feeling inside of you, like you've already done it, and that feeling helps to propel you to the finish - to the summit. It's almost like you can already see the view, you're so close.

I guess at this point in a writers career, they no longer need the talismans, rabbits foot, the candles, the snack, the offerings to the gods to get in writing mood and write... You're already there. You can see the finished draft in your mind, it being only a few edits away.

And it does give you a cockiness, and why not? In order to write you have to be cocky. If you don't have faith in your talent, no one else will.

What do you do in YOUR bed?

el lugar más importante del mundo" - the most important place in the world.

Seeing how everything wonderful in life can happen in bed - from sleep to conception to birth - its easy to see how they came up with the beautifully coined phrase.



Too bad we live in a country that would rather make money off of having us live in fear of this wonderful life experience - implanting a picture in our minds of birth as being unbearable pain, needles, drugs, screaming, and worse.

Wouldn't it be out of this world to see this ad on TV her in the US? We are in dire need of a come back to more human ways of going about experiencing life. How much healthier a nation would we be if our next generations were born into calm peacefulness of a loving embrace, rather than bright sterile lights, strange hands poking and prodding...

Drawing Nipples on Barbie

Ok, so my two year old daughter was given a barbie. I already have qualms about her having barbies period, let alone at such an early age! But I digress... She has the doll, loves it, plays with it often, however, she is perplexed about Barbie's milkies (this is what we call them as they produce milk...hence, they are Milkies...another blog, another time...)

Getting back to my initial point, I'm just as perplexed as my daughter. Barbie has a pair of panties 'drawn' on, however no bra. So that would make one assume that her breasts are bare. So, my two year old's question is obvious: where are her nipples?

My daughter is smart. She knows what a woman's breasts are designed for: the making and distribution of milk to her child. Therefore, this doll's body - that has left very little to the imagination (aka, her curves, her disproportionate breasts) - begs the question: where are her nipples?

Yes, yes...it's a toy. I know. There are tons of toys all over the place and none of them are accurate (planes are missing landing gear, cars don't have engines, some dolls don't even have noses, let alone nipples.)

HOWEVER, and here may lie the real question: what is wrong with children learning anything real about their bodies? If Barbie is going to have a va va voom woman's body, then she should either:

• a) have a bra 'drawn' on like her panties, or
• b) have nipples on her exposed breasts

And why not? She has the breasts! If the makers are going to go as far as to give her them, then why not complete the anatomy lesson.

Honestly, I would have preferred my two year old daughter to be given Amamanta Dolls which are not only anatomically correct, they are also available multiculturally and offer an educational opportunity, especially when trying to explain the differences between good and bad touches...

So, outside of getting her an Amamanta Doll set for her upcoming third Birthday, I still have to decide if I'm going to fix Barbie's boobies.I mean, what's wrong with nipples and children learning that they have a purpose?

You know what I think? I think there is a real reason for no nipples on Barbie...

So kids grow into adults who think boobs are only for one thing, and one thing only...sex.

Only, sex isn't the only use for nipples, and THAT, my friend - no matter how hard you argue or complain or cry or yell or waffle - is the God's honest truth.

To draw or not to draw...

What do you think I should do?

33 Coming of the Leaves...

I have seen 33 coming of the leaves...33 snow melts...33 Springs...Today is my Birthday...
Each year we are alive, we receive many gifts. Challenges that make us who we are. Revelations to steer us in the right direction. Visions that show us the way. And each year we live makes us wiser, not just older. Wisdom is the best gift of all, and the longer you live, the more wisdom you gain.

“Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.” ~ Sandra Carey

So, today marks another year that I get to enjoy my life. And another chance to do something special for myself. Ever since I turned 30, I've given myself a Birthday gift of significance. Not anything that you can purchase in a store. Rather, something that I either do for myself that day or vow to do throughout the new year.

Last year, Birthday 32, I vowed to write my novel, to put myself first once in a while, and accomplish something that was indeed very special to me, my dream. And, through much delight and determination, I did it: beginning, middle, end.

My gift to myself at 31 was to take my health and my life into my own hands. To figure out what my 'mystery illness' was and get better! And I'm happy to report that I'm still alive - obviously ;) - found out what was wrong and am still working to fix it rather than cover it up as my good ol'doctor insisted I do (yes, yes...another blog, another day...).

Some years I do or vow to do something so private for myself that no one knows about it with the exception of me, myself, and I. That was my 30th Birthday present to myself. It was a very hard thing to do, something that was 14 years in the making, but I'm glad I finally did it. And, if my book ever gets published, you'll all know exactly what that gift to myself was! But you'll have to read the book to find out ;)

This year...33...

Well, I had a sad but important realization just this past weekend: I don't have many (if any) symbiotic friendships outside of my darling husband. And although most people don't even have that, I need to start surrounding myself with friends who put just as much effort into me as I put into them. I listen but seem to never be heard. I give and only give...and then give some more, only to be tuned-out the first moment I have something to say. Left the moment I do something I want to do.

I have no qualms in never having something returned to me. I'm a giver. That's what I do. However, I'm seeing more and more that if you only give and give and never receive, sooner or later you start giving away all that is you. Everyone deserves something in return, if only an ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on.

So, this year, I vow to no longer be the doormat to friends. I've already tried to rid my life of drama and toxic people, and it worked and I'm healthier for it! Except, I feel as though I only worked in the family territory, thinking that my friends were toxin free. That is not the case.

"Love yourself first. Put yourself first. Don't sacrifice who you are for anybody or anything. Don't put yourself in the backseat; don't deny what you know your truth is. That's what makes you amazing, and beautiful, and rare and an individual. And it radiates out like the most beautiful light. And with loving yourself, you will attract people who love you back."
~ Kimberly Elise

If you don't put yourself first, no one will.

Good Lovin'...Part 2: Open Your Mouth!

Ok, here we go... Good Lovin'...Part 2...

The other day in Good Lovin'...Part 1, we learned that getting rid of distractions can lead to better sex. However, removing the obvious distractions from the bedroom is only the beginning in removing all the toxic distractions from your relationship. What we need to do is remove all the things that create the shadows, clouding our view, darkening our chances for a more intimate relationship. We need to open our mouths and be open with eachother...

Now, now...Don't go running away just yet!

This is truly an important part of every relationship. And it's even more important to be able to talk openly and honestly with the one you have relations with... There's no better sex to be had than that sex with someone you can truly be yourself.

You can say what you want to, need to, and they not only return the favor, but don't run away or laugh in your face. It's totally freeing to be with someone that knows you, inside and out, and still they love you - like you - and still want to be with you.

It's totally mind blowing to be in such a relationship. The result: mind blowing sex! Yes, it's there, you just have to do the work.

And the work is tough. I know, I've been there.

You either grew up in a household that didn't talk openly and freely about your feelings or found that people withdrew from you when you did, so you learned to close yourself off to others, pretending to be someone you weren't just to keep the peace and keep everyone around you happy...

And then there are those of us that have been in abusive relationships, learning that sometimes, those who were closest to us were not people whom we could openly trust. Therefore we learned to further close ourselves off, escaping from our realities, trying to make everyone around us happy, expecting that, in turn, it would make us happy...

Only, it doesn't. And it never will. You can't make everyone and everything around you perfect and happy. It just can't be done. The only person you can make happy is yourself. Period. You can't change anyone either, for that matter. Only you can change you.

But we're talking about a relationship here, something that happens between two people. This is where the task becomes doubly-hard because open and honest communication cannot be one-sided. There has to be a constant and consistent effort from both sides to make it work. If one person is still not giving up the ghost: still keeping their feelings to themselves, hiding their emotions, not sharing their opinions, not talking about their doubts, not sharing nor following their dreams, there will never be the freeing experience that is necessary for self-expression.

Picture this...
You're in bed/on the couch/on top of the washer-dryer/on the kitchen counter top/on the dinning room table/in the back of the car/(insert your favorite 'get busy' spot here), cranking up the heat, getting your groove on, gettin' busy...and all around you are these things, all this unfinished business. Instead of bouncing around with your lover, you have all these things bouncing around in your head.

...Did he notice how much that comment hurt my feelings?
...She never apologies for anything...why?
...Why don't we talk anymore? We used to be so open with eachother...

These questions, looming around in the room, get in the way of true intimacy, true freedom. If you want to have better sex, it only comes with the high price of total disclosure. And honestly, what have you got to loose? Someone that you can't talk to? Someone you are afraid will leave you if they find out where your true passions lie? Why would you want to be with someone like that? Don't you deserve a wonderful relationship with someone who not only gets you, loves you unconditionally, but actually still wants to be with you, because they enjoy knowing you and getting to know what you're all about?

Think on these things for a while...


Then try this following exercise:
Read these following words, out loud, very, very s-l-o-w-l-y...

OPEN YOUR MOUTH

How did that feel? Do it again, and this time REALLY open your mouth, magnifying each and every syllable.

OPEN YOUR MOUTH

That is exactly what you have to do from now on if you want a better life, better relationships, better sex: Opening your mouth.

No more secrets. No more hiding your dreams in the closet. No more wondering.

Share your ideas!

Talk about your dreams and your aspirations!
Ask all the questions that pop up in your mind!
What have you got to loose?

It's up to you to start the conversations.

Get to work!


oh, and stay tuned for Good Lovin'...Part 3: Secret Indulgences...

"If it's meant to be, it is up to me."

When I read the saying, "If it's meant to be, it is up to me," I immediately realized our error in saying the opposite all these years: If it's meant to be, it'll happen.

If we want something to happen, for destiny to take charge, we're going to be waiting for a long while as Destiny is pretty busy trying to take care of everyone else waiting for a helping hand. The time is now for us to take charge of our own lives and make what we want to happen, happen.

We know too well the traps within that'll try to keep us from reaching our goals. So that is why we need to once and for all decide to side-step all of those nasty inner-censors and devious self-loathing moments and really take charge of our lives.

Where do you want to go?
What do you want to do?
Is there happiness waiting for you?
Or are you going to go out there and get it for yourself?

If you've lived long enough to gain some wisdom, you know full well that there are no true hand-outs in this world. If you want something, you have to do the work to get it. Only you can walk your path. Only you have what it takes to make it happen.

So, as the saying goes: "If it's meant to be, it is up to me."

"Our true enemies, as well as our true sources of strength, lie within."
--Willaru Huayta, QUECHUA NATION, PERU

A long time ago, the Creator put inside the human being the secrets to the laws of life. We usually know this is true even though we may not know what these laws are. If something goes wrong with our lives, we usually fix the blame on something outside of ourselves. We tend to give up accountability. One way or another we say, "It's not my fault." We need to realize that all permanent and lasting change starts on the inside and works its way out. If it's meant to be, it is up to me.

Oh Great Spirit, let me realize fully that my problems are of my own making. Therefore, so are the solutions.

- Joyce Sequichie Hifler
Author of A Cherokee Feast of Days: Daily Meditations

The Joy of Climaxing: A Virgin's Rendition of Finally 'Getting There'....

If you look up the definition of Climaxing on the web, Wikipedia skips all the bases and goes right for the spot:

"An orgasm (sexual climax) is the conclusion of the plateau phase of sexual response cycle, and may be experienced by both males and females. Orgasm is characterized by intense physical pleasure, controlled by the involuntary, or autonomic, nervous system.^[1] It is accompanied by quick cycles of muscle contraction in the lower pelvic muscles, which surround the primary sexual organs and the anus. Orgasms are often associated with other involuntary actions, including muscular spasms in other areas of the body, a general euphoric sensation and, frequently, vocalizations."

Although one generally tends not to argue with Wikipedia (ha, ha, yeah right...), I have to agree more with Robert Genn when he says:

"Symphonies, movies, plays, novels, songs--all tend to have a climax. Life and love have climaxes. Climax is one of the essential life experiences. Without climax, nothing seems to get anywhere. Climax represents the successful completion of the story, the denouement of the plot, the reason for all the effort, the snapshot at the height of the action. "

Truth be told, until tonight, I was a total climax virgin. I have never reached the point where the beginning bridged the gap with the end. However, late in the night, way after the kids were put to sleep...I got there - I found the climax. And although there is nothing going on with my anus (as Wikipedia would have you believe), I would have to characterize my virginal ecstasy of reaching that point of no return with absolute euphoria.

485 pages into my first draft, I finally hit that note.

Granted, by the time I edit, edit some more, and re-edit, I'll have chopped out about 200 said pages and replace them with additional ones, but, for the time being, I'm going to bask in my glory and spread the good news. I've written before, by and large, for the better half of my life. However, sad as it may sound, I've never before, you know...But now, wow! I can see what I've been missing all my writing life.

Days ago, I didn't sound so sure of my self or my writing capabilities. Instead of skipping through the halls, my USB Flash Drive securely dangling from my neck, I was toting a totally different message: I suck. I had hit the ledge, just underneath of that plateau where my own nirvana awaited me. Only, I was stuck. I couldn't find a foothold to hoist myself up and over. So, instead of sitting back and letting the creative juices do their thing, I was ready to bail.

Thankfully, after three days of self-loathing (comes with the territory of being a writer) I found purchase and, armed with the only protection that one's mind can give, I put my self-censor into a head lock, jammed my fist into the only crack I saw, and found the leverage I needed to reach that climax.
Climax: a juncture in your story line where all the build up reaches a point of no return...aka, the end is in sight! (that's my own definition, anyway)

So, if you're a writer, still a virgin, and have yet to taste the honey or scream out your own vocalizations, because you've never seen the vistas from up here...keep writing! Put down the gun, lock yourself in a room with no distractions other than your own thoughts, and write! You might even end up with a cocky attitude to accompany your ear-to-ear smile...but more on that note later...

The point here that I'm trying to make is: You can't finish unless get there. So....

Keep Writing!
Lia Mack

I'm Not Voting! Are You?

I'll make this short since I'm not heavy into politics nor wish to be. There is too much bull shit and I can't stand the fumes. At least when you compost bull shit you get black gold. Something good for the Earth. Good for gardening. Good for everyone! But this, this Politics thing? No good comes from Politics.

My argument for not voting? Out of a country of how many people, we have a choice of 2 people to choose from. Two! To me, that doesn't really seem like a choice by any stretch of the imagination. There are in fact 6 presidential candidates running on the ballot, however non of them were on the debates, had commercials, or are even known to anyone who doesn't purposely seek them out online. Did you know that there is an African-American Woman running for president? Where are her headlines? Doesn't she, along with all of the hopefuls, deserve the front row spot lights of the media?

I feel as if my choice has already been made for me. The powers that be don't really care who wins tomorrow. Obama. McCain. They are both the same. They are, trust me. They have the same type of people behind them. How else would they be able to afford the spot light? They are both politicians with people in their pockets...and they in someone else's pocket.

And history will repeat itself. Whomever wins will offer such dreams and possibilities to the American people only to cause more economic woes, national debt sufferings, and war casualties. We've all been fooled before. The only question is, who will be fooling us this time?

So, as of today, I am not voting.

I'm not voting for Obama.
I'm not voting for McCain.

Therefore, according to the powers that be, I'm not voting. But I will VOTE.

I am going to cast my vote tomorrow. However, since I'm not voting for the two hopefuls, the two leaders, my vote will actually not count towards anything other than making one of the candidates loose. You can take your pick as to which one I'm helping with my non-vote. I don't intend my non-vote to help either one. Burned by politics, I don't believe that either candidate will keep his word. They are both owned by big business and big money. It doesn't matter what kind of biz or $, it's all the same. Power. Money. Greed. That is the way of the United States government. And that's why I'm not voting for their pick tomorrow.