Monday Musings 11-30-20

The month of November has five Mondays. That’s right, five! What dark sorcery is this? I had a moment of panic when I realized this extra Monday would throw my carefully crafted schedule of blog posts into confusion. Generally, I alternate between my two platforms, but alas, there is so much happening in both my author worlds that I’m going to post the same information in both places today. Problem solved!

VIRTUAL RI AUTHOR EXPO - THIS SATURDAY!

On December 5 from 10 am - 4 pm, we will have a fantastic line-up of FREE panels, programs, and virtual author meet and greets. We’re using the Grenadine platform and it would be best to register ahead of time so you can plan your day. On the day of the event, live links will be available for every program. Check it out here: RI VIRTUAL EXPO. Click the button on the top navigation bar to register for the event.

Click here for more details on my events: TABITHA’S SCHEDULE

• Tabitha’s Kaffeeklatsch (meet and greet) 10:00 - 10:45 am

• Not Your Mama’s Romance (panel) - 11:00 - 11:45 am

• Kick Your Scene into Action (presentation) 12:00 - 12:45 pm

• So, You Want to Write a Series? (panel) 2:00 - 2:45 pm

• A Hero, an Anti-hero, and a Villain Walk into a Bar… (panel) 3:00 - 3:45 pm

Hope to see you there!

ORDER SIGNED COPIES OF MY BOOKS!

Signed books make great holiday gifts. You can now order personalized copies of all books in the HORIZON series directly from my website. Click here to place your order: SIGNED BOOKS BY TABITHA LORD

If you are a romance fan, or know someone who is, check out my alter ego’s books. You can order personalized copies of the Tactical Solutions International series directly from Maggie’s website. Click here to place your order: SIGNED BOOKS BY MAGGIE CLARE!

FREE BOOK FOR CYBER MONDAY!

Start binging the Tactical Solutions International romantic suspense series today!

Fiona and Jake’s fairytale romance comes crashing down around them when Jake is seriously injured overseas. But when Fiona’s life hangs in the balance, Jake must resurrect his inner warrior in time to save her.

Click here to download your FREE copy of SING FOR ME.

Monday Musings 11-16-20

The dark days of winter are quickly approaching, and this year, with more lockdowns on the horizon, I’m feeling a low grade sense of panic set in. I already struggle to keep from circling the drain mental-health wise in the winter, and with the added stress of the pandemic, I’m going to have to call on all the tricks in my book to get through the season.

So, what are those tricks? Most importantly, I pay attention to self-care. During the winter, my tendency is to let things go that I probably shouldn’t in the self-care department. I don’t feel like working out when it’s still dark in the morning. I want hot chocolate and comfort food pretty much all the time. Sweat pants and a baseball hat seems like a fine wardrobe choice. Instead of fighting these tendencies, I try to incorporate them in a healthy, balanced way. Here are a few specific things I try to do:

• Get more sleep. I need it and the longer nights promote it. I pretend I'm hibernating. 

• Make my work space more pleasant. Candles and twinkle lights. Seriously. They make the darkness, which lasts so much longer now, feel cozy.

• More yoga, less gym. I don't stress myself about getting in a hard core workout a certain number of times per week in the winter. Rather, I commit to more hot yoga. It's great exercise, it’s good for tight winter muscles, and it's hot. Did I mention it's hot? Even if the studio I attend has to close down, I have a place in my house ready to go, complete with space heaters and candles.

• Outdoor time. It takes more effort, layers, and proper footwear, but when I can take a hike in the woods, or even take a walk around the neighborhood, I'm in a better mood afterwards.

Hopefully, there is a light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, with a vaccine on the horizon. But, it is still a long, daunting tunnel to traverse before we get to the other side. Before the season really takes hold, it may be a good time to think ahead about how you’ll manage it. Your self-care methods may not be mine, but you get the idea. Feel free to share what works for you!

In other news…

Save the date! The RI Author Expo is going virtual this year. On December 5 from 10 am - 4 pm, we will have a fantastic line-up of FREE panels, programs, and virtual author meet and greets. We’re using the Grenadine platform and it would be best to register ahead of time so you can plan your day. On the day of the event, live links will be available for every program. Check it out here: RI Virtual Expo. Click the blue button on the top navigation bar to register for the event.

Here’s my schedule for the day:

• Tabitha’s Kaffeeklatsch (meet and greet) 10:00 - 10:45 am

• Not Your Mama’s Romance (panel) - 11:00 - 11:45 am

• Kick Your Scene into Action (presentation) 12:00 - 12:45 pm

• So, You Want to Write a Series? (panel) 2:00 - 2:45 pm

• A Hero, an Anti-hero, and a Villain Walk into a Bar… (panel) 3:00 - 3:45 pm

Hope to see you there!

Monday Musings 11-2-20

Last week we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Gabby. What we thought was aging joints and inflammation turned out to be bone cancer. One afternoon, she went outside, curled up on the deck, and couldn’t get back up. It was probably best for her that she went so quickly as things were only going to get much worse, but we were devastated.

Gabby was already four years old when she came to live us. When we bring an animal into our lives, we can pretty much guarantee that because of their shorter lifespan they’re going to break our hearts at some point. Yet, they give us such joy and love, we know we’d do it all over again.

Gabby came into my life just as I’d started working from home. Although it was my daughter who wanted a dog, I needed the companionship too. Our sweet girl didn’t disappoint. She slept at my feet while I worked, always one paw touching me somewhere. She hiked with me for miles, happy to be out in all weather. She attended numerous baseball and football games, excited to be part of our third son’s cheering section.

I have pictures of everyone in the family giving Gabby full-body hugs. Actually, it looks more like she is giving us a full-body hug. Ray and I would often joke that we hoped to be worthy of her unconditional love, and that no one was happier to see us when we’d walk through the door than Gabby.

I miss her when I sit out on the porch. I miss her when I’m working at the kitchen table. I miss her when I spill something on the floor. I miss her howling comically at the cookie jar, begging for a treat. She was a beautiful soul and I am eternally grateful that she shared our home for the last six years.

Rest easy, dear Gabby. We love you.

In other news…

Save the date! The RI Author Expo is going virtual this year. On December 5 from 10 am - 4 pm, we will have a fantastic line-up of FREE panels, programs, and virtual author meet and greets. We’re using the Grenadine platform and it would be best to register ahead of time so you can plan your day. On the day of the event, live links will be available for every program. Check it out here: RI Virtual Expo. Click the blue button on the top navigation bar to register for the event.

Here’s my schedule for the day:

• Tabitha’s Kaffeeklatsch (meet and greet) 10:00 - 10:45 am

• Not Your Mama’s Romance (panel) - 11:00 - 11:45 am

• Kick Your Scene into Action (presentation) 12:00 - 12:45 pm

• So, You Want to Write a Series? (panel) 2:00 - 2:45 pm

• A Hero, an Anti-hero, and a Villain Walk into a Bar… (panel) 3:00 - 3:45 pm

Hope to see you there!

Monday Musings 10-5-20

We’ve finally gotten around to renovating our master suite. Every other part of the house has had a refresh, but of course our space was last. It was so bad in there that nails spiked up out of the ratty old carpet and snagged your socks, and my closet door fell off the hinges about a year ago and still stood propped against the wall holding my shoe rack. Ray and I would say to each other, “It’s time to get our room done." And then we’d leave and shut the door. There was always another priority. Now, though, the room is torn down to the studs, the contractor is meeting with the designer, and we’re a go for the remodel.

Those of you who know me, or have been reading my blog for a while, know that I like my space in order, and that I’m a bit over the top with my organizational systems. For example, when the kids were younger and we’d be coming up on the winter season, I’d dump all the winter clothes into a pile on the floor, boots included, and have them dress in whatever fit. Despite all the hand-me-downs, someone always needed a coat, another snow pants, someone else mittens, etc. I designed a spreadsheet which recorded who needed what and in what size, and then spent about thirty minutes online with LLBean placing our order. It beat the heck out of winter shopping with four kids in tow. See how my brain works?

What’s happening in my house right now goes against all that order. There are tarps strewn down the stairs, dust and dirt floating everywhere, and our spare bedroom upstairs is now ‘that room’ which holds everything we don’t know what to do with. I spun out in my head during the first few days of mayhem, but, thanks to years of being an obsessive-compulsive organizational freak, I’ve put things to right in my little world. We’ve moved into the cozy guest suite downstairs, the non-construction zones are clean and tidy, and my workspace is untouched.

This ability to create order from chaos has served me well over the years. It’s helped me run a large household, manage a multi-faceted career, and now keep myself (mostly) on track while working from home. The relationship between my physical space and my mental well-being is one I acknowledge. I can tune out quite a bit of stimulus and still be productive, but I can’t work amidst a mess. So, I take the extra time each morning to set things to right in my home and workspace. And, when there is more disturbance than usual, I find ways to control the chaos on a smaller scale.

In order to stay on target with my projects for the year, I have to finish the first draft of Dreamwalker this month, this same month that my house is upended and my kids are trying to navigate school during Covid. I’ll let you know how well my systems work! It’ll be a good test!

“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” - Benjamin Franklin

Monday Musings 9-21-20

My youngest child is finally reading my science fiction series. Written as adult fiction, thematically it just isn’t appropriate for younger teens. But, she’s old enough now and has a pile of my books next to her bed. She’s already texted me, demanding to know WHY I KILLED THAT CHARACTER? And she wants to have a conversation regarding some of my narrative choices. It’s interesting when your kids have a creative streak themselves!

I’m working on my latest manuscript, and a few characters will be meeting an unfortunate end for sure. This got me thinking about when and how we kill off characters in our work, especially beloved ones. It’s becoming more mainstream to take out an important lead for dramatic effect - think Walking Dead and Game of Thrones. Killing off a character in a believable, meaningful way has tremendous impact, but taking someone out every season becomes predictable.

Achieving the correct balance in writing is tricky. On the one hand, we don’t want to traumatize our readers for shock value alone. On the other hand, if we are writing in genres with danger around every corner, it seems inevitable that someone will have to go. We lose believability if everyone makes it home in one piece.

If we are going to kill a character, that death should have purpose. It can be a motivating factor for other characters’ actions. It can be a necessary and believable outcome of events. It can be used to push the plot forward.

Once a character has died, showing the aftermath and effect on the other characters is imperative. We need to see their grief, anger, and maybe, ultimately their acceptance. A death can provide dramatic moments and add authenticity to the story, but killing a character should never be gratuitous.

So, when my daughter corners me and asks why I killed a character, this is what I’ll tell her!

In other news…

You may have read that I’ll be sending out Monday Musings on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, and my alter ego, Maggie Clare, will be sending out a newsletter on the 2nd and 4th Monday. If you’re interested in receiving that one (the content and tone will be a little different) you can sign up on Maggie’s website here: msmaggieclare.com.

Monday Musings 9-7-20

It’s a gorgeous September day here in New England. Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary. We had dinner out and stayed overnight in a hotel. It was perfect, and life felt almost normal.

We are currently sitting on the front porch watching our neighbors with young children pushing strollers, chasing after bikes with training wheels, and walking toddlers and puppies. We’ve both commented on how much we enjoyed that time in our lives - and it was quite a long time, raising four kids eleven years apart in total. We also very much appreciate where we are now - able to take off for the night without any prior arranging, except to make sure kid #3 feeds the dog.

This Covid summer, we were limited in what we could do and where we could go, so we spent it mostly home together, enjoying this life we’ve built. It’s a full, messy, sometimes chaotic life full of laughter, tears, and love, and neither of us would trade it.

With the approaching fall, we’ll shift into busy season with work, school activities, deadlines, and early mornings. Still, our life now is the result of conscious choices and proactive decisions. We are where we want to be, and for that I am incredibly grateful.

“Happiness is a deep sense of flourishing, not a mere pleasurable feeling or fleeting emotion but an optimal state of being.” – Matthieu Ricard

And now for some housekeeping items…

• From now on, I’ll be sending Monday Musings on the first and third Monday of the month. Turns out, managing multiple author platforms while trying to produce content is actually quite time-consuming! If you’d like to follow my Maggie Clare blog on the second and fourth Monday each month, you can sign up at www.msmaggieclare.com.

• I’m working diligently on Dreamwalker, my newest manuscript featuring a badass lady assassin, and I’ll be sharing a few sneak peeks here in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

• I’ve rebooked several Comic Cons and signings for 2021. You can find those dates here: Tabitha’s Event Schedule. Fingers crossed that the world will be safe enough for us to get together in person!

• Of particular note, the Annual RI Author Expo on December 5th is going to be virtual this year. I’m the gal in charge of planning the programs and panels. So far they’re shaping up to be interesting and varied. More info to come as we get closer to the event.

As always, I welcome your questions, comments, and virtual interactions. Please do stay in touch!

Monday Musings 8-31-20

I can’t believe today is the last day of August! When I sat on the front porch this morning, I could feel the change in the air. As fall approaches, I’ve been reflecting on this COVID summer. When all my travel and book promotional events had to be cancelled, I consciously adapted my expectations and revised my goals for the season. Now, standing on the other side, I’m reviewing, assessing, and planning for the fall.

Naturally, I’ve been obsessing over the things I didn’t accomplish, like finishing my latest manuscript. I’ve never been able to produce a lot of content during the summer, but I thought this year, with no travel, I might be able to do more. Turns out, I’m still not all that productive a writer during the summer season.

Okay, so the manuscript is only half finished, but I was busy! My habit, so I don’t get too down on myself, is to review the things I did accomplish right after the list of things I did not. This summer, I worked with an amazing team of educators to prepare our school for reopening. I took on more responsibility at Inkitt, where I am the managing editor for the writer’s blog. I launched two more books in my new romantic suspense series. I read several interesting novels and interviewed a couple of fabulous authors. I started working with a team to plan RI’s Virtual Expo. I rebooked all my travel for next year.

More importantly, I also spent good quality time with my family and close friends. We barbecued, swam, laughed, and yes, drank a bit more than we should have. All in all, for a summer filled with uncertainty and challenge, I came out of it no worse for the wear, and for this, I am very grateful.

I’ll spend the rest of the week planning what I need to accomplish this fall, but for today, I am going to appreciate the crisp air, blue sky, and these last few days of summer.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” -Melody Beattie

Monday Musings 8-24-20

Many of you know that my career prior to writing full time was in education. I was the Admissions Director and Latin teacher at the independent school where my children attended from Early Childhood through Grade 8. It was an accidental career. I’d planned on eventually finishing medical school, but when I found this school for my children, my own path took a detour.

My husband and I truly believe sending our kids to Meadowbrook was one of the single best decisions we ever made as parents. In addition to their stellar education, it created a lifelong community for them, and also for us as young parents and for me as a young professional.

Two years ago, the school building burned to the ground after being struck by lightening. It was the perfect storm of events - middle of the night storm with no one to witness, and several lightening strikes which started a smoldering blaze in the roof and fried the alarm system. It was a devastating moment in our school’s history, but one which proved to me once again just how incredible our faculty, staff, and community truly is.

Today, I stood with my former colleagues in my role as Board President to ‘bless’ the new building. In the midst of a global pandemic, I am continually inspired by the commitment this group has to the children and to the mission of the school. This place, these people, and the work we do fills me with hope, and I am honored to still be part of it.

A vision without a task is a dream,
A task without a vision is drudgery,
But a task with a vision can change the world.

Monday Musings 8-17-20

Every year in the middle of August, around now actually, I start to feel as if time is galloping away at top speed. The summer is winding down. The changeover to fall is in the air. Sure, we have some scorching days, backyard BBQs, and beach time left, but September is in sight.

Don’t get me wrong, I love fall. I love the crisp days, my renewed interest in cooking, the productivity in my work life. I love apple picking, football season, and mulled cider. I love the changing leaves, pumpkins, and dressing up for Halloween. My trepidation isn’t really about the change of seasons at all, it’s about the way I can feel time passing by in such a visceral way.

This year, I am torn between wanting to draw out time, and feeling a desperate urge to speed things forward. This hasn’t been the easiest timeline for me, or for anyone else on planet Earth. A resurgence in the virus is a very real concern. My inability to travel has directly impacted my career. I haven’t seen my two oldest children since Christmas. The list goes on. But, I am acutely aware that tomorrow isn’t promised and this moment is a gift, so savoring the here and now, mindfully choosing how to spend my time, and fully embracing the present with all its challenges, is how I am striving to show up.

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.” Dalai Lama

Monday Musings 8-10-20

Tomorrow my alter ego, Maggie Clare, is releasing a new book. Release day is always exciting, but also a little bittersweet and somewhat underwhelming. It would seem that all the hard work of writing, editing, and promoting will come to fruition on this one day, but that’s not how it works.

A good bit happens during the pre-release phase, and there will still plenty of work to do in the days following. That’s just the nature of the publishing beast. I’ve learned to celebrate this one moment for sure. After all, it’s a milestone. But, I’ve also learned to lower my expectations for the day itself.

Expectations are tricky. They imply that there is a satisfactory outcome or an unsatisfactory one, when we really don’t have much control over outcome.

When the kids were little, the amount of chaos around the house was pretty significant. For both Ray and I, two obsessive compulsive neat freaks, this was a challenge. But we weren’t the only people living in the house, and to expect four little ones to maintain an order that met our expectations was completely unreasonable. A friend suggested we simply lower those expectations. When we did, our lives became a lot less stressful.

I had all kinds of plans for 2020 with regard to book sales, travel, panels and signings. Despite the ground work and preparation, none of it came to fruition. No one predicted that a global pandemic would derail everything! While this year has been challenging on so many levels, I actually adapted my work plans pretty quickly. In this creative space, I’ve become adept at focusing on those things I can control, and letting go of everything else.

So, I don’t really have expectations for tomorrow, other than to appreciate I accomplished something, and I took another step forward on my chosen career path. Without expectations, I am free to enjoy whatever the results.

“My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus.” -Stephen Hawking

In case you are interested, click here for Maggie Clare’s Tactical Solutions International romantic suspense series. And don’t worry, if this is not your jam, I’m working on a gritty urban fantasy novel featuring a vigilante lady assassin who kills bad guys in their sleep!

Monday Musings 8-3-20

I can’t believe it’s August already. I am torn between hoping this year will swiftly come to an end, and not wanting to wish away time. When the kids were little, this quote always spoke to me, “The days are long, but the years are short.”

The sentiment fits well during this strange time of Covid. On the one hand, it’s already August. On the other hand, it feels like we’ve been living in an alternate universe, in which time has slowed and we are stuck in limbo, for a very long time.

I’m attempting to keep my mindset positive, with mostly good success. I remind myself regularly to focus on only those things over which I have control - whether they are related to the state of the world, my own work, personal relationships, or my mental equilibrium. I can control how I treat others, my work ethic, and my own inner dialogue. There’s less of an inner struggle when I let go of the rest.

“You can’t calm the storm… so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” - Timber Hawkeye

Monday Musings 7-27-20

As I get older, my exercise routine not only builds my strength, it maintains my body’s flexibility. A bridge is designed to be flexible in strong winds - it sways so it doesn’t break. A flexible work schedule is often coveted by employees.

Flexibility, in general, is a positive quality. In this uncertain world, where it feels like the goal posts are moving minute to minute, the ability to think creatively, with innovation, and without fear will impact our experience and our ability to act effectively.

I’ve been spending many hours working with a team of educators envisioning how to bring children and adults safely back to school this fall. The collective positive energy of the group, and our ability to think flexibly, is helping us design a program that surpasses the recommended health and safety standards, yet still keeps the children’s experience at the center of our planning. We are required to consider multiple scenarios, and must design protocols to transition between these scenarios. Not an easy task, but as the plans come together, one of the most important qualities that keeps us moving forward is our flexible thinking.

With the current state of the world, It’s tempting to throw our hands up and give in to fear and frustration. But if we do, we’ll be stuck in that space, at least in our own heads. To a degree, flexibility is a mindset, and when we can embrace it, we may feel better about our reality. Things may be different, but we can find a way. Things may be complex, but we can find solutions.

“Blessed are the flexible for they will not allow themselves to become bent out of shape!” – Robert Ludlum

Monday Musings 7-20-20

The week ahead is daunting. I have a virtual book tour scheduled which requires several guest articles and interviews, new and different tasks for the writer’s blog I work for, and a lot of work with the Covid response team at the independent school where I am Board President. Oh, and I’d still like to make progress on my latest manuscript. It will all get done, but knowing what’s ahead is intimidating. Sometimes, I just have to dig in and push onward to the other side, and this is one of those weeks!

When I feel overwhelmed, I’ve learned to rely on my own slightly OCD organizational system. This system helps me feel proactive instead of reactive with my time, and it assures that I also plan enough down time if the crazy pace lasts too long. Over the years of trying to balance career, family, creativity, volunteerism, and my own mental health, I’ve come up with some principles to stay sane. I’ve written a lot about this, especially as it pertains to managing a career in the arts.

Since I am so pressed for time today, I’m cheating a bit and attaching one such article. I needed the reminders today, and maybe they’ll be useful to you as well!

Balance the Busy: A Writer’s Guide

For some people, summer is a relaxing time. When my kids were little and school ended, our schedule slowed down and I took advantage of that time to recharge. Now, not so much. My work heats up with the warm weather, and while I look forward to it, I also know those long, lazy days of summer are a thing of the past. In fact, if I’m not careful, long, lazy days anytime are a thing of the past.

It seems that everyone, writers included, are busy people, working to balance multiple obligations. Because we can, many of us work flexible schedules, which may translate into working all the time. We forget to shut down. We feel overwhelmed. We find we aren’t actually as productive or healthy as we want to be. Over the years, I’ve discovered some principles, proven to translate across careers, that help me stay organized, maintain balance in my life, and get things done. Maybe you’ll find them helpful.

Recognize Your Rhythm

Maybe you’re most creative in the morning over a cup of coffee, or late at night when everyone’s asleep. Maybe you feel super productive in the fall, but can’t seem to get out of your own way in the summer. Whatever the case, everyone has a rhythm – to their day, to their week, to their year. Honor that rhythm, learn to use it to your advantage, and recognize that it may change over time.

Keep a Schedule

Take time to organize yourself. I am an obsessive planner. I use an online calendar and an intricate system of notebooks and to-do lists to stay organized. To friends and family, my habits may seem a bit obsessive, but maintaining control over my time is the single most important factor impacting my productivity. When something unexpected happens – I’m sick, my kids are sick, my computer dies – I do what I have to do to get through, and as soon as possible, I sit down to reorganize. If I’m proactive as opposed to reactive with regard to managing my time, I feel less stressed and I’m definitely more productive.

Prioritize

There is always more to do, but not everything should make the top of your to-do list. Prioritize your daily tasks, writing projects, appointments, etc. Some things can be pushed off if you don’t get to them, but some things come with a deadline! Make it a habit to attend to the priorities first.

Mind Your Mental and Physical Health

When I was in college, inevitably I’d get sick as soon as I went home for a vacation. It was like my body did what it had to do to get me through exams, or a big project, or whatever, and then it totally shut down. I’ve learned it doesn’t have to come to that if I pay attention and take care of myself. Self-care is important. Block off time for the gym, a yoga class, dinner out. When deadlines loom or the to-do list is jam-packed, it might seem practical to bump one of these things. But self-care shouldn’t take last place, penciled in only after all the “work” things. Rather, it should hold equal importance. It has to. Much of the writer’s life is solitary. We’re alone in our own minds for a good bit of the day, and this isn’t necessarily good for our mental health. So be mindful to step away, seek out the company of others, and take care of yourself.

Just Say No

It’s tempting to say yes to every interesting project that comes along, especially if you are trying to launch a new career. Maybe for a little while, you do need to say yes often, but pretty soon you may become overwhelmed, or find yourself committed to projects that aren’t really the best use of your time. When considering a new project, I always sleep on it before making a commitment. Either my interest will grow or it will dissipate. If I’m still enthusiastic after a couple of days, I’ll figure out how to make it work. If not, I graciously say no thank you.

 The culture of busy isn’t going anywhere. In our time of instant communication, real-time information, and constant connectivity, we can easily become overwhelmed. A mindful habit of working with our personal rhythms, organizing and prioritizing our work, and paying attention to our own good health will help.

Monday Musings 7-13-20

Once in a while, my muse takes a vacation. When this happens, I might stare at the keyboard and panic, or distract myself by playing around on Twitter, or clean my sock drawer, or sort the laundry, or make a snack. You get the idea! Whatever the case, it’s disconcerting when the words won’t flow. I’m sure we all feel uninspired sometimes, whether it’s with our art or our day job.

I have some strategies that help me through these sluggish spots, when real life stressors are taking a toll on my creativity, or when I’m just plain stuck in a plot tangle. I use different strategies depending on the issue. So, my creative friends, here’s some of my best advice to break through a block if your muse in on vacation.

If it’s just one bad day…

Work somewhere else. Mixing up locations might be the jolt your mind needs to kick back into gear. If I’m particularly distracted by the stack of bills that need attention, or the pile laundry growing exponentially in the bathroom, I’ll take myself out to the porch or back deck. 

Take a walk to clear your head. A little breathing space might be just what you need. Give your brain time to relax or switch focus, even if it’s only for thirty minutes. When you return to your work, it will be with a fresh perspective.

Participate in a writing sprint. Don’t worry about writing perfect words, just write. Forcing yourself to write when you aren’t feeling particularly creative may sound counter-intuitive, but it also might break the log-jam. Even if you can’t keep all your messy prose, there may be something worth salvaging.  

When I’m struggling with this particular project…

Talk it out. If I’m struggling with a plot tangle, or I haven’t worked out certain big issues with my story, I’ll schedule a time to talk with my good friend and fellow writer. She’ll ask the right questions or give me a new perspective on my project, and we’ll laugh and commiserate together.

Write out of order. Usually, I have a few pivotal scenes from my story that anchor things. They’re mostly high-intensity moments or big reveals and I’m always excited when I get to write one of them. If I’m really struggling with my manuscript, I might give myself permission to write a juicy scene, even if I haven’t reached that moment in the plot yet. If nothing else, I have a bit of fun, and often, this is enough to get the words flowing again.

If you’re thinking about your story, you are working on it. I’m a loose outliner, meaning before I sit down to write a new story, I have a good bit of it planned out. I still leave plenty of space for the creative process to unfold while writing, but I like to have a roadmap. I consider this mapping part of the process. Sometimes, in the middle of the story, I have to stop and outline further before I can dive back into writing. When I’m thinking through my story like this, I am making progress, even if I don’t hit a word count for that day.

Plan tomorrow’s writing before you end today’s. This is my favorite trick for keeping my writing on track. If I leave off with a few notes on where I’m going for my next writing session, I can dive in relatively pain-free the next time I sit at my keyboard. It’s worth finishing up a few minutes ahead of schedule to add in this planning time.

Things are tough in my life right now…

Self-care comes first. You may not feel motivated to do kind things for yourself, but this is when you need to the most. Self-care doesn’t necessarily mean heading to the spa for a week, although that’s certainly nice! It may mean a fifteen minute daily walk with your dog, or a cup of tea on the porch in the early morning. Whatever you need to do to keep your head above water, do it guilt-free.

Remember why you love writing. Writing can be the catharsis you need during a rough patch. Worry less about hitting a word count and remember why you started writing in the first place. Maybe you can use your writing time to journal, or maybe you just want to escape into the world you’ve created for a little while. This may not be the time for aggressive deadlines or new projects.

Lower your expectations. If you can do a little work each day on your project, you’ll still make forward progress, even if it is slower than you’d like. Maybe just opening the document, reading through a chapter, and writing a few notes is all you can manage. That’s okay. Life hits everyone hard at some point, and sometimes all we can do is get to the other side.

Whether it’s one bad day, or something more, we can still make realistic forward progress on our project if we have a few tried and true tools in our shed when we need them.

Monday Musings 7-6-20

Today is my birthday. It’s the year before a really big one, so naturally I’ve been reflecting a lot about this past decade…

I ushered in my 40s by summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro with my sister and two close friends on my birthday nine years ago. At the time, I could feel my life changing around me. Instead of trying to hang on to something that was out of my control anyway, I chose instead to embrace the potential for something new. My children were growing up, some moving out. I loved my career, but it had chosen me, not the other way around. I found myself wondering what my choice would be if I could make a different one. I needed space to clear out my head. I wanted to connect deeply to the world around me, and to be utterly disconnected at the same time. So, I climbed. It was hard, really hard, and it was also breathtakingly beautiful - a metaphor for life I guess. I didn’t return with any earth-shattering revelations, but I did return with a deep sense of accomplishment and inner peace. A few weeks later, I wrote my very first blog post, which a travel and climbing magazine published - a sign of things to come!

As I wind down this decade, more change is in the air. My body feels age in a different way. All but one of my kids is an adult, and she’s right on the cusp. I’ve had to let go of some things permanently, like ever returning to medical school. Some ships have sailed, and that’s okay, because letting them go made space for other things. I’ve rediscovered my inner artist, and she’s building a satisfying career. My husband and I never really had a chance to enjoy being a couple before we had children, and we have that now. I have deep, meaningful friendships.

As I contemplate the next decade, sure there’s some fear. I think it comes with facing our own mortality in a much more concrete way. But I’m also looking forward to it. I have always lived fully, throwing myself whole-heartedly into my work, my family, the experiences presented to me, and I have no intention of showing up in the world any other way.

“Life isn’t meant to be lived perfectly…but merely to be LIVED. Boldly, wildly, beautifully, uncertainly, imperfectly, magically LIVED.” ― Mandy Hale

Monday Musings 6-29-20

In addition to fiction writing, I’m also the managing editor for a writer’s blog. Last week, I asked each of the bloggers, myself included, to write about their plans for the summer. How were they approaching their projects in light of Covid? How were they making up for the in-person events they would normally attend? How were they planning to refill their creative wells?

Their responses were varied, but there were a few things I noticed in common. Everyone was planning to look for new opportunities to connect. Everyone felt like they could actually write something this summer, as opposed to the beginning of the pandemic when most of us felt shell-shocked. Everyone was trying to adapt their own habits to meet this new reality.

There was also an underlying tone of uncertainty in our articles. None of us know what this pandemic means for us long term - personally, professionally, emotionally. We’re keeping the fear at bay by pushing forward, finding new ways to work, adapting. But, the fear is still there. Most of the photos we chose to go with our posts last week were a bit dark and ominous, even if the writing was mostly upbeat.

The sun is shining. We are attempting to find our equilibrium in these uncertain times. We’re thinking creatively. But the fear is still there. Or maybe we can reverse that sentiment. The fear is still there, but we are bravely attempting to navigate through it.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
— Nelson Mandela

Monday Musings 6-22-20

Over the years, I’ve learned to think about my creative life in terms of seasons. When I honor my personal, seasonal rhythm, my productivity over time is really good. It’s been an effective method. I create a lot of content in the fall when the days are crisp and my house is quiet. I allow myself a gentler pace during the cold, dark days of winter. I spend a lot of time on the business side of things during spring. And summer, well, summer is usually my favorite season.

My summers have been filled with conferences, conventions, book tours, and signings. Being with other writers or my own fans helps me recharge. Summer is generally the season when I remember that although writing is my job now, I still find great joy in it.

This summer, things are different, and Covid is already taking a toll on my professional life. But, I live in coastal New England, a beautiful part of the world, especially in the summertime. For years, I’ve wanted to spend the entire summer here instead of traveling, and this year, well, I don’t have a choice. So, I am going to look for the gift in this challenging time. I’m going to appreciate the longer days, the slower pace, and the ability to spend hours outdoors. I’m going to imagine I’m on a writing retreat and sink into my project. I’m going to let go of my expectations. Without them, I’m free to embrace the season in a new way.

“Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a new way to stand.” - Oprah Winfrey 

Monday Musings 6-15-20

This week, my third son will turn eighteen. Having a relatively large family, our kids are a study in nature vs. nurture. Each of them are similar in many ways, and yet so very different. Watching them grow into young adults, discover their talents, and become independent, thoughtful, creative human beings has been an honor and pleasure.

This particular almost-adult of ours is kind and nurturing. We sometimes call him the baby whisperer because little kids and baby animals adore him, and the feeling is mutual. He’s the kid who notices when I need help - not with household chores necessarily, and don’t get me started on his messy room, but he’s there for the things that matter. “Momma I’ve got your back” is a line he uses regularly, and he does.

He’s a kid with a kind heart. In fact, kindness is his super-power. In eighth grade, he was paired with a first grade reading buddy for the school year. At the middle-school graduation, his “buddy” was in tears. RJ invited him on stage and held him on his lap for the whole ceremony, becoming this boy’s beloved babysitter for years afterward.

RJ was and still is a good athlete. I remember a particular baseball game just after he’d been bumped up to the next level of play early one Little League season. A boy from his old team, who had just finished a game on the adjacent field, noticed RJ. He excitedly relayed to his dad that, “RJ was a big guy and had gotten the call.” This little boy was chubby and short, wearing glasses as big as his face, and seemingly uncomfortable in his own skin. His sweet dad ruffled his hair and said, “You’re gonna be a big guy someday too. Want to watch RJ for a little while?” They did. At the end of the inning, RJ caught sight of this little boy and came right to the fence to greet him. “It means a lot that you came to watch me play. Thanks so much, buddy.” That little guy’s smile lit up the bleachers.

A neighbor once said she’d heard I had the kindest kids in the neighborhood, and after meeting RJ, she agreed this was so. It’s no small thing to be kind in this world, and kindness with the courage to act is even more special. Our boy shows us this with his beautiful soul. Happy eighteenth birthday RJ!

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.” - Kahlil Gibran

Monday Musings 6-8-20

It’s been an exhausting year so far, and we’re only coming up on the half-way mark. There are days when we get out there and fight for the good, and days when we need to turn inward and care for ourselves. There are days when we feel we’re making progress, and days that feel stagnant. There are days when we can and should celebrate our own small accomplishments.

When I started this writer’s life almost six years ago, I had no idea where it would take me. In the world of publishing, there are many factors over which an author has little control. I learned very early on to focus on the things I could impact like improving my writing skills, the amount of content I produce, and the projects I choose. I also understand that I have to keep focused on my short-term tasks while maintaining a long-game view, and I should take the time to celebrate my accomplishments.

Tomorrow my fifth book will be published. This one is penned under my alter-ego, Maggie Clare, and is part of a romantic suspense series I’ve been having fun with. I know many of you follow me for my speculative fiction writing. Don’t worry! I’m making solid progress on my next manuscript - an edgy urban fantasy. But, if you feel so inclined to read a “sexy thriller” as my husband calls them, here’s the link: Run and Hide.

It’s hard to want to celebrate with the world as scary and volatile as it is right now, but I think it’s okay to honor those moments of personal accomplishment and joy. Thank you all for the love and support. It means more than I can say.

Monday Musings 6-1-20

Sometimes the work we need to do to make our world a better place seems overwhelming, like anything we do as individuals just isn’t enough. And in a way, this is true. Deep-rooted, systemic issues require more than our individual efforts. They require cultural, institutional, and sometimes legal reform, which doesn’t happen overnight, and takes a collective effort.

But here today, at my kitchen table, I’ve been thinking about my role as an individual, about the things I can do. I can listen. Really listen to people who have had a different life experience than me. I can do this without defensiveness. I can do this without making any of it about me. It’s not my turn for that. I can aspire to think, speak, and act first with kindness. I can use the power of my words to connect with people.

I’ve had the honor and pleasure of learning from other amazing writers, of becoming immersed in their worlds and their words. One such author is Jacqueline Woodson. She read an except from her YA novel If You Come Softly at a writer’s conference I attended years ago. She pulled me so deeply into her character's world that I emerged transformed. Her words helped me internalized the idea that I will never own certain experiences. They will forever be outside my frame of reference. But her words also helped me to understand. They made me want to do better, be better, and not rest in the comfort of my own experiences.

Step off a curb if a white person comes toward you Don’t look them in the eye. Yes sir. No sir. My apologies. Her eyes straight ahead, my mother is miles away from here.

Then her mouth softens, her hand moves gently over my brother’s warm head. He is three years old, his eyes wide open to the world, his too big ears already listening. We’re as good as anybody, my mother whispers.

As good as anybody.

- Jacqueline Woodson, from Brown Girl Dreaming