When the Writer Gets Hot...

...the hot get out the Super Soakers, a favorite activity in my fam for those aged 5-65. There's something extremely cool and definitely therapeutic about firing swirling streams of water at your spouse while they do the same back. A marital win-win in my mind. And, of course, there's the 'family-sized' kiddie pool to enjoy, complete with schools of plastic fish and a genuine Toy Story floating chair that even holds a water-loving grandmother. Having kids around gives grown-ups automatic permission to play. And they'll give you a refresher course if you've forgotten how to have fun. Maybe kids should teach a motivational class for writers who have somehow forgotten the joy of making up a story.

Have you ever found yourself bogged-down in the logistics of writing? Of course, story structure is important, good grammar a must, authentic characters must be fleshed-out and resonate. And submissions must be form and letter perfect, marketable, and sparkling as we shop ourselves and our work to editors and agents, hoping to someday be able to proclaim, "She likes me! She really, really likes me!"

It's true: The logistics can't be avoided. But today, I've made a play-date with my words. I'm going to write until I get my child-like joy back.

Light Along the Way

The paths we take in our writing, our lives, are often a mystery to us. But, no matter what our beliefs, we truly aren't in this alone and don't need to make decisions without help and guidance.

Know that this help is there. Listen for guidance and answers. Be open to it. Feel it. Watch for it.

Trust it.

Outside-Inside Mismatch

One day I reminded my granddaughter, then 4, not to climb up to the tree house if a big person wasn't right there. Her reply to my question, "Do you know what will happen if you fall?" was "My body would come all apart." This, of course, was followed by snuggles we each needed at the thought of that.

When your outside 'comes apart' to any extent, it's pretty obvious to all. But, what about your inside? Raised in a dysfunctional family, where my role included keeping a calm exterior for the sake of others, did much to condition me to do the same through my decades as a nurse. Obviously, what you say to parents of a critical baby can't be the same as the way freaked out words in your mind. A mismatch, to be sure. It's freeing in many ways to be out of these roles today. But, I am what I am.

Daily life stresses, large and small, are not always evident on my outside, and others continue to look to me for calm. I don't see this as a bad thing, because keeping others level helps me to do the same. But, if the stress goes on and on, my inside starts to come apart, something has to give. Recently, that thing was my writing. Not good for my outside or my in.

my inner Maggie

I'm working on my personal mismatch, trying my best to keep my inner Maggie happy. I need to write in the same way I need to eat and sleep. It's that important.

Creativity and Hope in the Air

Celebrating Victoria Hanley and her Wild Ink book release with other writers and friends last night filled me with inspiration and hope, making me sure it's not too late for my dreams to come true.

The many accomplished authors in the room, such as Victoria, Amy Kathleen Ryan and Laura Resau, were once where I am now: working extremely hard to learn and do all the things that make the writing right, hoping and hoping an agent will love my work, not just like it one day.

Congratulations Victoria. And thank you for writing your book and sharing your wisdom and experience with those of us on the road to Someday Success.

Thin Places

A thin place is said to be a location where there is but a veil between Heaven and earth, making them close enough to one another to touch. There are many thin places in the world where people can feel this. Being in Ireland last year confirmed this for me with the feeling of complete connection to all that is.

I took the picture on my home page while visiting my cousin on Cape Cod last September. The low pixel camera in my phone created a muted, old photo effect: I was there then, and then could have been a time now or one before. Thin, indeed.

Choose to spend time in places that convey this connection for you, and write all your feelings down.

Blog On

Meanwhile, back at the blog...

Around the time my muses insisted I concentrate on my young adult fiction, blogging fell away to seldom. I guess it all has to do trying to get way too much accomplished, only to find I have, again, spread myself as thin as butter on hot toast. I understand that blogging is important to today's writer. So, I promise myself I'll make a better media effort. My old blog, Living in the Write Mind, is gone. Soul to Page is my fresh start.

This morning I'm writing in my recently painted and decorated bedroom. Very nice. And it's a rainy day, perfect for puttering around the house, maybe a quick errand or two, writing in my office with a fresh cup of coffee.

Blog on, everyone.

Spring's Promise

Ah, spring... full of beauty and hope. I always feel as if my dreams will come true in the spring. How could I not?

As always, my heart is divided between the magic of a Colorado spring and the wonder of springtime in New England. Last year I managed to enjoy springtime in Colorado, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Ireland. And there were lilacs everywhere I went.

Much going on in my Colorado family right now meaning, unfortunately, I may miss my spring trip to NE. But I feel such promise in the Colorado sunshine today. My soul is pointing me in the right direction, my vision is clear, and my dreams are about to come true.

After all, a promise is a promise.