He’s My Hero

He loves online poker. I’m a Words with Friends kind of girl. I love to venture to the exotic and eat out; while he wants to know if they deliver. I completed a Master’s Degree and he didn’t finish college. He’s from the brick city of New Jersey. I’m one of Frankie Beverly’s Southern girls. I want to talk about “it” and he just wants me hush. I worry. He sleeps. I plan. He shows up. I love to write; well he doesn’t.

The fact that I love to write means I love to find classes to attend, contests to enter, groups to join. As a matter of fact, just this Sunday a women’s writing group hosted an informational session and of course, I attended.  It was a great and diverse group of women – from age, to race, to writing genres.  Some were published. Others, like me, aspiring.  We all wanted support, whether it be to get published, to get back a sense of creativity, or just to have somewhere to go besides the computer desk.  I left there and called my honey to see if he wanted to meet out somewhere to grab a bite and talk about my new thing; but he was busy doing “his” thing.  So I pouted and whined that we never do anything together and we don’t have anything in common. His calm, benevolent and sincere response was “Come on now babe. Yes we do.”

“Ok, like what?”

I sat silent and he said, “We both love you and we both love me.”

I heard harps. I promise you I wanted to eat him up.  I apologized for being a baby and went about my way excited about my new writing friends and appreciative of my man.

There are times we don’t appreciate what we have.  Even worse is when we fear it and subconsciously seek to sabotage it. We focus on what we don’t have, instead of celebrating what we’ve been blessed with.   We do this in relationships and sometimes in our writing when as closet writers we are afraid to share our stuff; or as more practiced, undisciplined writers who can’t even sit long enough to move the words from pen to pad or to IPAD. We find excuses why we didn’t write today.  Do we fear the success or the failure?  Or we (I) find reasons to fight “we have nothing in common” when we (I) began to feel insecure about how powerful love is.

When I think about it, we do have stuff in common. I was being a spoiled brat and he lets me…sometimes. Even more wonderful is the interest we bring to the relationship via him sharing “his” thing and me sharing mine.  My Poodie (he hates that) may not love the idea that I sneak off to my secret batcave at home to write, to think and to dream; but he is the first face I see when I step out.  Whether I’m overjoyed with what my character TeeNana did today; or if I crawl out frustrated that nothing brilliant happened, there he is with a plate of spaghetti or a cup of tea.

Support systems, such as writing groups or boyfriends, are a needed and welcome relief from the solitude of writing. My honey provides that and so much more. He doesn’t have to be in my Artist Way class, or reading my latest Poets and Writer magazine or even a member of my new writing group. He just needs to continue to be the perfectly imperfect him that he is.  He’s my hero!

Thanks Poodie!!!  (smile)

What friend or family member bests supports you in your efforts at work or play?  Maybe you are the cheerleader for someone?  Share your insights.

Oh WOW, A Contest!

I was online minding my own business and noticed WOW!  a writing contest.  Women on Writing (WOW) is hosting its Winter 2012 Flash Fiction Competition. WOW is a free ezine that promotes the communication between women writers and readers (Sorry guys). Founded in September of 2006, the ezine hosts quarterly writing contests for writers. There are no limits by age or locality since it’s a global magazine. The word count is only 750 words and the  topic is yours to choose.  There is a small fee of $10 or if you would like a critique along with your entry, then it’s $20.   Log onto their site www.wow-womenonwriting.com for all the details you may need.

There are prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, 7 runner ups and 10 honorable mentions.  Will your name be on the winners list?  Mine will so look for my name, Deidre L. Shannon and my story “The Receptionist”.  It’s a winner (fingers crossed!)!!!!

PS.. Deadline February 29, 2012!

2012: Create A Better Space

One of my writing resolutions of 2012 is to create my personal writing space.  I’m not sure how I made it as a “writer” this long without this all important shrine.  As I understand it, you are not a serious writer until you have one.  (ohh la la!!)

Whether it’s your favorite table at Panera Bread (which I do have), a corner in your mom’s closet (which I don’t want) or your own HGTV room addition (dream on, dreamer!) , the space should feel inviting, inspirational and comfortable. It’s the place you sit your cup of coffee and your butt and unleash.  It can be as messy as it needs to be or as organized; and it should at least have a desk and a chair.  A computer and/or pen and paper would be nice too.  All the other decor is up to you.  So personalize.

After careful review of the available real estate inside my humble home, I scouted out a corner in my guest bedroom for my soon to be inviting, inspiring and comfortable writing space. I googled a few examples of  in-home writing spaces and one I liked was  the rendition of Zora Neale Hurston’s writing space pictured below.  I can imagine her sitting, thinking, writing and re-writing “Their Eyes Were Watching God”.    It’s not the goal design for my space, but I thought it was pretty cool.

Well here it is week 2 of 2012 and I’m on the hunt for a desk when the thing of beauty appears. I absolutely have to have it.  Well my mom saw it first.  I was busy with the cookies and cocoa they put out at Finders Keepers Furniture Consignment.  (A good blogger would insert the picture of said desk here; however I’m a beginner …but learning quickly!)

The desk was a nice medium colored wood grain.  No drawers.  Drawers hold stuff, distracting stuff, so no drawers. It was just the right size for the space.  This was it!  It would be the perfect focal point (learned that from HGTV too) of my writing space area design.  I was excited.  I was on my way to Deidre L. Shannon, published author.  I was destined to create a better space … but I was also broke.  The desk would have to wait.

My back hurts a little.   It happens when I write while lying across the guest bed in the guest room where my writing desk is going to be once I get it off  of “lay-a-way”.

So til then I pop an Aleve. Now if I can only stop playing Words With Friends, maybe I can get to writing the next chapter of my novel.  Hmmm, never knew “kibes” was a word… and worth 52 points!  Whoo-hoo!!!!!

Happy New Year!

We set goals becasue we want to do better, to be better.  While I do believe in setting goals, a very good friend and amazing life coach, Pam Byrd,  introduced me to “Reflections” that I’ve also implemented this year.  You can apply it to writing or simply to the every day of… everyday.  Reflections are a glance into the past but there is value if used positively.  Looking back may help you understand why you can’t get past week 2 of a new year without ”falling off the wagon.” Maybe this year you and your goals will walk hand in hand into week 3!

Welcome 2012 with the fervor it deserves but remember you were here just 12 months ago and in another 12 you’ll be back again (God willing and the creek don’t rise!).

End-Of-Year Reflection Questions:

1. What have you learned about yourself this year?

2. What were some of your best memories?

3. What would you like to do more of?

4. What do you really need to let go of?

5. What do you require in terms of your relationships, both personally and professionally?

6. What do you require in a career/ work environment in order to function at your best?

7. What challenges did you face, and how did you get through? What personal strengths came to the forefront?

8. What were your greatest successes this year, personally and professionally?

9. “Who” have you been this year? Who do you want to be?

10. What could be your personal theme for 2012?

something GREAT is about to happen…

Those are words my co-worker spoke today.  She said she’s been feeling “anxious” about where she is in her life today and where she’d like to be.  Her soul is stirring a big ole pot of great change!  Travel, excitement, challenge, passion, purpose  fun and fulfillment.  I sat starry eyed listening to her because I understand the powerful pull of such desire.  You see, I got a big spoon stirring a pot too!!

So she asked me, “Dee, don’t you feel like something great is about to happen?” 

I smiled a really big smile and excitedly nodded yes and went back to my desk to await my time because it’s coming…I can smell it.

Nina’s Story

I’m on Chapter 5ish of my novel, Nina’s Story.  I had committed to writing at least an hour everyday and the last few days I’ve slacked.  Back on track now.

My First Competition!

Guess who was a finalist in GlimmerTrain’s  March 2010 Fiction Open Competition? 

Even though my story ” A Talented Heart” didn’t win, I’m excited… as the editors noted “…we really enjoyed your story! Although it did not win this time, I am happy to inform you that it did make the Top-25* list—congratulations. (That’s the top 2 – 3% of over a thousand submissions!)

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/glimmertrain/2010-March-FO-Top-25-list.pdf   (Psst…That’s me – fifth from the bottom lol!!)

Ok, now…on to the next one!  First place here I come!

Stand Up and Win

I entered a short story contest this month.  It’s the first time I’ve ever entered a contest that judges my writing. The first prize is a nice cash award and of course, bragging rights.  I surprised myself when I did it; even more so when I heard my voice say “I want to win”. 

I’ve never really been competitive.  For some crazy reason, I always thought it to be rude; wanting someone else to lose, that is.  Is there a difference between wanting to win and wishing someone else would lose?  Probably but whatever the answer, courtesy isn’t at my forefront this time because I want to win this contest. And I will.

The name of my 1,500 word story is “Nina’s Story”.  It’s a smaller piece based on the best selling novel I’m committed to writing in 2010.  Again, a first for me.  That too I want to win. By win, I mean I want to see it through this time.  Ironically,  in a way, that also means  I want to “lose” – to lose the fear  and self doubt that has kept me from doing it this long; To lose the idea that there’s no time to write, or that it stinks or any other sabotaging, idiotic thought living inside my sometimes fuzzy head or falling from my fragile lips.  In 2010, I resolve to win. 

In this resolution, I’m reminded of the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25 14-30).   I want to represent the one who made God proud and multiplied the talents that God gave him.  God gives each of us gifts/talents ; but what He doesn’t cast upon us is a cowardly spirit. He wouldn’t have gone through all of THIS (life, love, sacrificing his Son, etc) to see us fail, not even at our own fumbling hands.  So stand up, talents.  Stand up straight, stand in faith.  Stand up and win.

I am a good writer.  I am talented, positive and prolific.  I am a winner. Thank you God.  Thank you as I write “Nina’s Story”

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.”

 

The Powers of Sheila and Spatcho

Finding motivation to write isn’t always easy.   Finding time to write is even harder.  Recently I re-discovered a website that offers writing prompts that writers  can post and/or just read other writer’s post.  I posted my first and felt good that I got something on paper.  It’s not Pulitzer Prize winning or anything but it keeps me writing.   And that is so very important.

The prompt: You wake up one day with an unusual super power that seems pretty worthless—until you are caught in a situation that requires that specific “talent.”

             This was the 3^rd day in a row that Sheila Jones awoke with her hands over her ears.  “Honey, are you sure…”  She didn’t even finish the question because she already knew the answer.  No, he didn’t hear it.  It was still all in her head.  Ever since Spatcho, her German Shepherd, died Sheila heard the sound of barking dogs in her head.  Her husband Shane didn’t hear it.  No one did and now on this third day, it was getting louder.

             She rolled over and tried to focus on the sunshine that crept through her faux wood blinds.  The TV was on mute but she noticed the newsflash about the recent arrest of the serial bank robbers in the area.  “Five bank robberies.” she thought to herself.  “I’m glad they’ve caught those criminals.”  She snuggled in a bit more knowing she and Shane had to get up in a few minutes for their morning run. The cool temperatures outside made the bed especially nice this morning, despite the barking in her head.

              “You hear the barking again don’t you?” Shane muffled still half asleep.  “Yes,” she said as she rolled over to face him.  He pulled her a little closer and asked, “Seriously, honey did you make your appointment with the doctor.  This is getting ridiculous. ”

“I know she said.  “I’m going to call today but honestly I don’t know whether to call a doctor or a vet.  It’s crazy babe.  Maybe Spatcho is trying to talk to me from the dead.” she joked.

 “Hey, are we running this morning?  she asked.  Shane turned over and pretended to snore.  “No you don’t buddy! Get up. ” she screamed and hit him over the head with a pillow.  

 Taking off from the driveway after a good stretch, she noticed the barking getting louder, almost urging her to follow it.  “Honey lets go this route today.”  She requested.  Two lefts and a right turn later, they ended up at the park.  The barking was out of control now and she continued to follow it. 

             “Sweetie,” Shane asked.  Where are you doing? ”  Sheila ran ahead.  Shane stopped to take a seat on the bench to catch his breath and have a drink of water. Minutes later Sheila screamed “Shane call the police.  Now!!”  Running to where she was, Shane called the police and stood with his mouth open as he stared at his wife covered in dirt kneeling in a hole she had just dug with her hands.

The police arrived and after some questioning Sheila and Shane headed home.  She noticed the barking in her head had stopped.  Hours later the police called to inform Sheila that what she dug up was probably the stolen money from the recent bank robberies. That night she slept like a baby, no barking at all.

As the sun shone through her windows the next morning, Sheila opened her eyes with a start as if having a bad dream.  “Honey,” she asked, “do you hear quacking?”

Distractions, Distractions…

To be a great writer,  “they” say; you simply must write.  Well I get that but what if Michigan was spelled with a Z.  Huh?  I know that’s crazy right… but that’s exactly how it happens.  I start off  with one intention, and before I know it, out of nowhere, I’m somewhere I didn’t intend to be.   

Yesterday, I sat down with every good intention of finishing a piece.  The letters were popping up on the screen as my fingers danced that keyboard jig,  and BAM.. a distraction.  The phone rings.  A car door slams.  A squirrel is on my roof.  In my attic.  And I stop to respond.  Hours later, project is unfinished and I’m dressed like Rambo  because Mr. Squirrel drew first blood.  

How many times have you set yourself an unmet goal or made a workday ”To Do” list that seems to do you?  By the end of the day only one or two of the 20 things you’ve listed got completed because of the distractions.

Oh, sweetie,  I hope you didn’t stay tuned because you thought this would end with a sage piece of advice or some fancy tactic to prevent this from happening again.. LOL.. because I just don’t know. 

However, what I do know is that not one of these distractions is  bigger than my DREAM.  Not one distraction will stop me from getting there… or you if you’re committed to  Live with Passion. To  Live on Purpose.  All I can say is keep your “stick to it-ness” and just refocus on… oh wait, is that for me? 

"MsDee you have a phone distraction...I mean call."