Time is All I Need

If only I could figure out how to manage my time better, I'd be on my way to a less stressful life.

Now I know adding NaNoWriMo is a decision I didn't have to include in this maddening month of mayhem. But it's actually helping me keep my stress level down.

I know, right? C R A Z Y!!

Procrastination is my worst enemy. Well, that and my non- existent organization skills and urge to check on what's new and exciting on the internet. ugh... Word of advice. Stay off Pinterest! Whatever you do!! Don't pull it up. Don't scan down the list of pretty and interesting pictures. Don't click on anything. Just don't go there! LOL

Despite it all, here are my accomplishments so far this month.

* Edits almost done on next book. Getting ready to send it off and see what happens. :)
* Cute humorous Nano story I'm working on with my daughter coming along nicely. 4K words so far. Progress is slow, but lots of brain storming going on while I'm completing other daily tasks.
* Working on finishing next thriller as well. (I know. I'm walking a fine line! But after taking Margie Lawson's workshop at a conference in October, I'm energized!)
* Started my Christmas shopping already!
* Getting ready for Thanksgiving. Might be having my family here this year. Yikes!

Looks like I'm getting quite a bit done now that I've written it down. Yeah! I think I'll celebrate! Not even going to try listing, or thinking about, the things needing attention in between all of this fun stuff. They will get done. They always do. LOL

Dare to Dream and Make it Happen!!

Good Morning!

As I was running around getting the kids ready for school, I was trying to figure out how to manage my time better as I listened to the radio. Boy did this song hit home! With every dream, there is a price. That price is what you are willing to give, be it time, sweat or tears, to achieve it.  "Dare to Dream" and then get out there and make it happen!!

Excerpt from Lyrics of the song: "How Bad Do You Want It" - Tim McGraw


People always ask me
"Son what does it take
To reach out and touch your dreams?"

To them I always say

Are you hungry?
Are you thirsty?
Is it a fire that burns you up inside?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line


I get to make my living
Doing what I love
Every night I give my heart and soul
Sometimes that ain't enough
But brother, if you're like me
Looking down that road


Be careful of that wild wind, son
Sometimes it don't let go
Can you feel it?Can you taste it?
Can you hear it knocking at your door?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line


There's always a price you pay no matter what you do
If you're gonna climb that mountain to the top
It always comes down to


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line



For me, the price is going to be getting up earlier or going to bed later and kicking procrastination in the pants whenever it shows its ugly head. Whatever it takes to get those words down on the paper, I must do. Can you say more caffeine! LOL  Just thought I'd share. :) Off to write now!

Self-Sabotage, It's a Fine Art

Writer or not, it doesn’t matter. We’ve all got this one really cool thing we love to do. Maybe it’s photography, painting, crafting, scrapbooking, coin collecting, etc. Or a sport like baseball, tennis or, yes I’m going to include it even though every ounce of my being is screaming not to, golf. (We’ll get back to this one)

Whatever it is makes us happy, gives us a sense of self-worth or belonging. It’s something we can share with others who love the same thing. So we make friends along the way. But the downside is it takes you away from your family, your job, your responsibilities. So, we end up feeling guilty about wanting to spend time on it. That makes us unhappy. And if we’re honest about it, everyone around us suffers right along with us.

There is a solution. One I’m still working to perfect. The main thing is to find a routine that works and keeps everyone happy. Organization plays a huge part and scheduling is a must.  This is the toughest part for me, but slowly I'm managing to put everything down on a calendar and then stick to it.

Here's the biggest myth I learned about my own self-sabotaging.

I’ll just take care of everything else first. – This only made me tired and frustrated. At the end of the day, I had a clean house, organized closets and drawers, happy hubby and kids due to the meals I scheduled for the entire week, and a weedless garden.

The only thing missing—my sanity. I wasn’t spending any time doing what I love and my attitude stunk. Not to mention the mounting self-doubt. I started thinking maybe I should just quit writing all together. I’ll be honest. The mere idea of quitting had me depressed, not wanting to spend time with anyone or do anything at all.

Let’s face it. There will always be something that needs tending to, something to fold, a call to return, a bill to pay, a kid to run here or there. It’s a never ending cycle. Life has a pesky way of getting in the way, doesn’t it?

So what’s the answer to this one?

I won’t pretend like I’ve found a magical secret. But I have learned it’s okay to let things slide occasionally and have a life outside my family. I can share part of my day with good friends and still be able to spend quality time with the most special people in my life too.  Heck and even get a few of those unending chores done along the way.

How do I do it? It means I’m getting up a little bit earlier and going to bed a little bit later. For right now, it’s working. It's not easy since I love my sleep.  But this is allowing me to be more productive with my writing and it feels so good.  I’m keeping up with most of the daily chores and even asking the kids and hubby to pitch in and help out a little more. This doesn't mean I'm a failure. Heck no! After all. We are a team. :)

No more excuses or blaming others.

No more self-sabotage! (Repeat this every time you try to make an excuse and go do something else. I think my record is 67 times in one day so far. LOL But it works like a charm!)

Onward and Upward!

Who’s with Me? :)

(Oh, yeah.  The golf thing. LOL  Still trying to get hubby to work on that one.  It's his one thing he loves to do.  Need I say more?)

Wacky Wednesday Links

It's official!  I'm now dedicating Wednesdays for Link Sharing! 

Since I can't stop myself from bouncing around the web and clicking on all the wonderful information links, I'm going to at least be productive while I procrastinate and share my finds with you. :)

It's a win, win situation as far as I can see.

Please feel free to share your favorites with me as well.  Who knows, if it's one I find really valuable there might even be a prize waiting for you.  Be sure I can contact you though, or at least check back and see if your name is in the winners box. 

I don't know how many times I've tried to give something away and then can't contact the winner. :(

So, without further rambling from me, here is what I've found this past week!  Some really cool gems!


WHERE TO -

Legally purchase photos:

http://www.dreamstime.com/

http://www.bigstockphoto.com/

http://www.istockphoto.com/

http://www.gettyimages.com/

Legally purchase music: 

http://www.shockwave-sound.com/index.html 


MobiPocket Ebook Creator

 CJs Easy As Pie Kindle Tutorials

How About a BOOK Trailer

http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2011/05/12-easy-steps-to-the-making-of-a-book-trailer/

No Returns!  I had no idea I could do this!

http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/

Gift Cards for YOUR Ebook!
Way Too cool! :)  Talk about possibilities!!

http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=4154


Looking for a Great Contest for that manuscript?

Last Day for $5.00 Early Bird Discount!!
Northwest Houston RWA Lone Star Writing Contest
Enter Here!

$15.00 for members of NWHRWA
$20.00 for non-members

But hurry! Discount ends May 25!

Organization is Way Over-Rated

Today I'm Sharing my post from Everybody Needs a Little Romance

It's been a long few days.  I'm working hard to get my edits finished on the second book "Target of Betrayal" as well as writing a short story to tie both books together.  But I'm really loving the way the stories are working out, so it's been fun.

My biggest dilemma for the week:

To organize or not to organize, that is the question for today. I could organize my life. Really I could. If I really wanted to.

I know things would run smoother and I wouldn't forget things like lunches or important school function dates. But I already have a filing system. Is it my fault that I'm the only one that understands it? Surely not. Those stacks there on the desk are in order, I assure you. Just tell me what the heck you're looking for and I'll be more than happy to get it for you.

See, now was that so hard? Now, there is no meltdown. No hyperventilating, because the important paper I strategically placed in that one certain location is no longer there. Ugh….

Please tell me I'm not alone in my madness. LOL I've read there are two ways to file. Vertical and horizontal. See it's just a preference.

So what say you? Vertical or horizontal? Should I waste precious writing time trying to organize things so another member of my family, who will remain nameless, is able to find things?

Yes, I'm procrastinating again. Guess what book I've just bought! LOL I'll let you know if it works after I read it. Here's a link in case you just can't wait that long!

"Eat That Frog" by Brian Tracy