IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!

Wow, so I have not post since the last IWSG. Which means I missed a lot of you guys' A-Z. I am going to try and get around and at least see some of your post.


So as many of you know I was sort of a stay-at-home dad. I mean I would do some part-time stuff here and there for extra money(and some sanity). Still for the last 5 years I got to be with my kids and write, my wife had a great job and she enjoyed it. Well as they say the only constant is change. 


My wife's job was bought by another company and they decided to try and move her two hours further away (she already drove an hour) and they were 12 hour shifts. We decided this wouldn't work. 

So for the first time in a bit I am back to full time work. The job is pretty cool I get to work with metal and feel all manly and rustic. I am sure it will make for good writing fodder at some point. 


The down side is it has been hard to fit in writing and blogging. I want to do both, I enjoy doing both. I just have to adjust. 


So what is going on in your lives lately? 


Anyway, as always, have fun and keep writing. 

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!



So my writing has come back to me. I knew it would and with time I am pretty much back to writing everyday.

I think what worked for me was just focusing on other things. The things that make me happy. 

I had a great weekend with my family and got my youngest outside to go on some adventures. 

I guess the only thing I am really struggling with right now is blogging. So perfect place to ask. How do you guys stay regular with blogging?

Anyway I will leave you all with a picture of me and my little buddy as we explored our yard. 

So BvS!

So it is no shock to anyone who knows me that I was highly anticipating this movie. In fact one could say this was my most anticipated movie since Tim Burton's Batman. 

So the movie came out and it has of course been a controversial affair. 

So without spoilers let me give my opinion on why and my review of this movie.

So a lot depends on who you are as a viewer. If you read current comics you will love this movie. If you have not been a fan since the 60s or 70s, there is still things for you, but you may also find some things uncomfortable. 

If you are a Marvel fan, as in the MCU( Marvel Cinematic Universe), this movie will be different than what you have seen so far. It is not a candy pop comic movie. It is much lighter than say, Watchmen(also directed by Snyder), but still deals with some darker elements. 

The biggest factor is if you go into this movie expecting to see a new universe be built and do its own thing. 

So my review. Is the movie perfect? No. I wish that it was, but then I wished Age of Ultron was as well. Is it a great movie? You bet it is. The first time I watched it, I really enjoyed it. Some things I had guessed came true and somethings were a surprise. The second time I watched it I found myself really enjoying it even more. This is a thick movie and there are layers to be seen. 

There are a lot of people, for varying reason, trying to trash this movie and I am glad that the fans have come out to say they will not be swayed. So far BvS has had the biggest Superhero opening to date. It also just had the biggest March Monday in history. 

If you are on the fence about this one I suggest bringing a teen with you. (Like don't kidnap one or anything, but if you know somebody) While older movie goers gave this movie a B cinema score 18 and under movie goers gave it an A-. 

Anyway I personally am excited for what the DCEU has to offer. Bring on Justice League!!!

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!



This past month has been very trying. 

I have really found myself in a place where I struggle to make since of it all. Between the loss of my dog and several other things happening around the same time, I truly have been in a state of reevaluation. 

I guess in all this is not a bad thing. We should all sometimes step back and try to understand why we are where we are and how we can change that.

I guess I am just finding it hard to focus on the things that I truly want to focus on. 

Maybe it is just a matter of time. 

I mean, in the end decisions will be made and things will carry out their own course. Hopefully by the time the next IWSG comes around I will have a much lighter and happier post to give.

Fingers are crossed.

I hope everyone is well. As always, have fun and keep writing.

Sad day.

Today I am sad. 

Sad seems a paltry word, but it is one I will use.

A friend I have had for nine years died yesterday. I don't wish to talk about how because it is too painful.

It is pretty devastating for me and I guess I am writing this as a way of getting it out somehow. If writing is therapy then let's hope this is therapeutic.  

I hope everyone is well and please keep the beings you care about close to you, there is no telling how long we have with them. 

Toddler Smash!!

The past few months have been hectic as they tend to be lately.  The one plus to this had been that I'd gotten a lot of writing done. 

Well I am sure you can see where this is going. 

It has been so crazy that I wasn't doing something I always do which is back up my files. I had been writing on Light Bringer(third book in the LB saga) and notes on two other stories. 

So my youngest, who will be two in March, is very mobile now. He is enjoying his free roaming time. My laptop sits beside me by my desk so I can charge it. Well, one day I was letting him run and play and he decided to run around my chair and his foot hooked the cord to may laptop. The whole thing came down. 

I made sure he was okay and then set my computer down. He was upset because the fall scared him so I didn't really check the computer. I grabbed him up and made him happy again. 

It wasn't until I went to write that I noticed the the plug that goes into the computer was bent. I've had it happen before on other computers and they tend to bend back in shape. So I tried to do that and a large blue spark shot out and the metal broke.

Now my computer won't turn on.

I looked up getting a new cord and the one they have doesn't match up to my computer and it is seventy dollars. There is also one on Amazon that is closer and is only seven bucks. I think I will try the latter. I just hope the computer itself will be fine. That is a lot of writing that I will be losing. 

Anyway that is the joys of my life at the moment. How about you? Ever have a child break your computer? Ever lose writing because you didn't back it up? As always, have fun and keep writing.

For all those struggling to work out and eat healthy.

For all those struggling to work out and eat healthy. 

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!

Emotional Writing/ Structured Writing


I think a lot of new writers fall into this.

I hear a lot of people say things like, "How do you get in the mood to write." or "I wasn't feeling it today."

These are indicators of an emotional writer.

How do I know?

Because I am one myself. 

It isn't a complete negative, but it does have many downsides.

An upside is most of your writing will be charged with the emotional state you find yourself in. This can make for some great scenes.

Like I said though, there are downsides. The biggest being that when you are having a bad time your writing often suffers. 

Personally the last year and half has been one of the more emotionally hard times I have had in a while and my writing has suffered for it. So what is to be done?

Well, I am making the transition to being a structured writer. Instead of waiting for the muse to strike me I have set times on a semi-flexible schedule that I am supposed to be writing. I make myself turn on that computer and I write.

It is still a struggle, but it is working. 

Most of the writers I admire and who have found success, model their work off of this type of writing.

I hope to follow in their footsteps.

Anyway that is what is going on in my writing world. What kind of writer are you? As always have fun and keep writing. I will leave you all with this inspirational video.

The flip side.

If I am to be fair in my blogging, I feel I have to write about the flip side of what I spoke about last time.

Having the right people in your life is very important even on small levels. The other side of that is those people that seem to suck the life out of you.

We have all had them in our lives or maybe still do. 

They are the people that always know whats best for you and endlessly give advice that is more about their own self-gratification than actually helping you.

They are the people who have no real ambition for their life, but still want to tell you how to live yours.

There are also the ones that only bring negativity to you. Sometimes it is drama from their own life, or talking down about anything you do.

These people are a constant in life and they don't appear to be going away anytime soon.

I think sometimes we feel obligated to stay with people even when they are toxic. Sometimes we don't realize they are toxic until way too late.

My advice on this is to take stock of your life. Look at the people around you, find out who makes you happy, who lifts you up and then find the ones who are doing the opposite and create as much space as possible between the two of you.

Life is short and you are the only one responsible for making yours a happy one. 

Anyway not the lightest blog I have ever written, but I know that we have to be active in our own lives. As always, have fun and keep writing.

Writing analogy.

Hey everyone, back from the holidays. Hope everyone had fun. 

I enjoy working out. It comes in ebbs and flows, and I am not always the healthiest person, but it is a pretty constant in my life. I have worked out solo before and can manage, but I have found that having a partner can greatly improve what you are trying to do. 

It is interesting that writing is much the same. Most see being an author as a solitary thing and often times it is, but there are very good reasons why you should surround yourself with the right people. 

Pushing yourself.

When I work out alone I have my goals and I try hard to meet them. The problem is, it is so much easier to make excuses when I get tired or things become hard. Having that person there that is on your level truly helps because if they do the set and finish it out it pushes you to put the extra work in.

Writing is the same. That is why Critique Partners are so great. They can push you and give you the drive to push that story a little farther. They can be there to offer encouragement when you feel like you are failing. 


Getting help.

Sometimes when you are trying to grow in an area while working out, asking a trainer or other people in the gym for some advice can really help take your game to the next level.

Again writing has the same thing. Editors and beta readers are important because they are outside people who can see what you are doing and offer their opinions on things that are working and things you can improve. 

In both it isn't necessarily that you can't do the work, but having someone on the outside that can see the things you may be too close to will always be a benefit. 

Helping others.

I love working out with people who are new to it. It can help my confidence and also help me understand why I do things the way that I do them.

Pretty much word for word this applies to writing. Giving advice can help us put into words our writing process and it can give that little boost when we are feeling down.


Writing is often a solo activity. Working out and trying to be healthy will always come down to you making the right choices yourself. Still, the people we choose to have around us will often have a large hand in whether we succeed or fail. 

Anyway, it is great to be back I hope everyone is doing well. As always have fun and keep writing!!

Busy month.

Hey all this is a pretty busy month so the blog post have slowed down. I am sure all of you understand. I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas or a happy whatever else. I hope everyone is enjoying the season.

This will be my last post for this year. It has been an interesting one, but I truly can't wait for 2016, lots of big things. 

Anyway, wishing you all well, see you next year!!

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! To join click HERE!

I am not sure of other people's experience with "new" writers. When I say that it isn't from a place of looking down on them, I mean it as someone who has yet to finish a piece of writing fully. Someone who has written, but maybe is not clued into the writing world. 

I've had several times where someone has come to me and asked me opinions on writing. I remember what it was like for me when I had asked others for advice. Sometimes their words were not so much helpful as  they were overwhelming and sometimes crushing. 

I always managed to push past and I think that is probably true for most people, but I tend to keep it in mind when I dish out advice. To me it is very important to keep the person writing, it is the only way they get better. I try to point out the good things and fun things and the stuff about writing that can really make it worth it.

The other day a friend came to me and I have known them for quite some time. They have mirrored my journey through writing in a lot of ways, only they have not made that step to really dedicate themselves to it.

This person made some comments about writing that were basically alluding to the fact that they might as well do that because it would be easier than what they were doing with their life. Now anyone who does this seriously knows one thing is never said about the writing process—"It is easy". 

It is pretty grueling at times and can take a lot out of you. Not even just finishing a piece of work, but getting it out there and keeping yourself and your work relevant in people's minds. I was torn between 'setting them straight' and what I normally do. In the end I decided that I knew this person well enough to give a little hard truth. 

I guess my question for this month's IWSG is, how do you go about giving advice and when do you take the kid gloves off?

As always, have fun and keep writing.