Monday Musings 10-18-21

I’m currently on the west coast, sitting by the pool at the marina as I write this. My last child is a senior in high school, and we spent the week out here doing a college tour. All three of my older boys and my baby sister live in California now, so, from an ease of visiting perspective, we’re hoping kid #4 might choose a school nearby.

Regardless, I love so much about the SoCal vibe, from the weather, to the quirkiness of Hollywood, to the energy of downtown LA, to the sunsets over the Pacific. I’m soaking up a much sun as I can in preparation for the long New England winter!

Speaking of winter, I have a few events that I’m really looking forward to in the coming months. If you are in the area, please stop in and say hello!

First up, Rhode Island Comic Con from November 5-7. I’ll be there all weekend signing books. Here’s my panel schedule:

World Building: Mind Your Myths and Backstory - Saturday, November 6 at 11 am in Room 551

There’s much to consider when constructing a mythical, magical, or futuristic world, and one important factor is the foundation myth or backstory. What does the writer need to know? What does the reader need to know? When do they need to know it? How does the backstory impact the characters and the current events on their world? Join us for a discussion on how to effectively craft a backstory and weave it into your tale. Panel hosted by the Association of RI Authors.

Writing the Other: Creating Characters Outside Your Comfort Zone - Sunday, November 7 at 12:15 pm

Writing characters from different backgrounds than our own is both a challenge and an opportunity for authors. In this panel, we will explore the tools needed to write outside our own experiences to create three-dimensional characters. Topics will include the importance of research, the role of sensitivity readers, and avoiding harmful stereotypes. Panel hosted by the Association of RI Authors.

Then, I’ll be at the annual RI Author Expo on Saturday, December 11th. Signed books make great holiday gifts, and our Expo features many talented local authors. The program and panel schedule will be coming soon!

In other news…

Since we’re coming up on Halloween, I’m going to include links to a couple of short horror stories I wrote, which have been produced by Tales to Terrify, a really awesome podcast, and are available on audio. For both, my stories are the second feature on the show. Have a listen!

Lady in Blue - story begins at 16:39

Goodbye, Charlie - story begins at 18:40

Finally, the photos below are from Marina Del Rey in SoCal and a wooded bridge on the UC Santa Cruz campus. So pretty!

Monday Musings 1-18-21

January is underway, and I’m diving into my new projects with enthusiasm. Of course, we’re only a couple of weeks in, so the energy that surrounds something new is still at play. I’ve learned to take advantage of this feeling and capitalize on what I call ‘the shiny new object’ effect. I can get a lot accomplished at this time of year.

Of course, this is also the time I’m tempted to say yes to everything that comes my way. Then, I’m often sorry when March rolls around and I’m overcommitted. I don’t want to dull the shine of my own enthusiasm, or lose the momentum of the moment, but I also need to stay focused and committed to the projects I’ve signed on for. So, what’s the key to balancing the tension between these two gestures?

For me, one trick is to look for places to pause.

As a writer, pacing is an important part of storytelling. If I overwhelm my readers with one action scene after another, or too many intense emotional scenes without a break, they’ll be exhausted. Conversely, if I don’t create enough dramatic tension and excitement, the story sags and readers will flip the pages in boredom. Finding timely pauses in the action or emotion gives readers a much-needed breather. It gives them a moment to process what’s happened. A timely pause makes for effective storytelling. If you’re a writer, here’s more on pacing your story, including the use of pauses: Pacing Pitfalls and Tips to Tackle Them.

This idea of appreciating the pause translates well into a life practice. When I find moments to stop and breathe, I have more clarity, more energy, and better discernment going forward. I’ve made it a habit now to pause before I say yes to something new. I let the idea sit and percolate for a night or three, and then, if I still feel excited, I am confident in my yes.

A pause allows inspiration to take root. Last week, I was asked to speak at a rather large meeting with only a day’s notice. I wrote down a few ideas on how to tackle the topic, and then I paused, slept on it, and let my brain do its thing. When I woke up, I knew exactly how I wanted to approach the conversation. A pause may seem passive, but really, it is a space which allows for creativity, inspiration, and clarity to flourish.

“In many a piece of music, it's the pause or the rest that gives the piece its beauty and its shape. And I know I, as a writer, will often try to include a lot of empty space on the page so that the reader can complete my thoughts and sentences and so that her imagination has room to breathe.” - Pico Iyer

IN OTHER NEWS…

My short story, LADY IN BLUE, is live on the Tales to Terrify podcast this month! They do an amazing job with audio productions. Patience Pitman was born with the gift, like her late mother before her. As she oversees the reconstruction of her childhood home, burned to the ground in a fire years ago, she finally pieces together the mystery of the Blue Lady, a vengeful apparition who haunted her youth. 'Lady in Blue' is classic ghost story set in turn of the century New England. Have a free listen to LADY IN BLUE! The story starts at approximately 15:30.

Recently, I spent an hour with my good friend, Monica Rodgers, on The Revelation Project podcast. We talked about everything from relationships, to mountain climbing, to kids. If you want to get to know me a little better, you can have a listen. Writing Yourself Open - The Revelation Project Podcast.

Our new kitten is here! You may know that we recently lost a kitten to sepsis only a few days after he arrived. This baby is our little lost kitten’s half-sister, and she is just the sweetest! Welcome baby Cirilla!