A More Thoughtful Post

Ok, so here it is.  A more thoughtful post.

In the last four weeks I wrote over 40,000 words, compared to the last two months, where I wrote 20,000.  I'm sure that everyone has read numerous articles on how to be a better writer and all that, so I will try not to bore you too much with repetitiveness.

I'm also not at all deceiving myself that my work is finished.  Like I said in previous posts, this is my first draft.  Anyroad, I do have to say that this is the first time I've done anything like this and to sit there on St. Patrick's day, bleary-eyed (and hung over) watching the words swim together as I typed those final words, a sense of accomplishment flooded through me.  I felt successful.  I felt like I'd done something worthwhile.  That feeling lasted about two hours (I was asleep after that).

When I woke, I found myself thinking about it, knowing that the ending needs more work.  Then my brain kicked into high gear and wanted to start editing right away (as exhausted as I was, only getting a few hours sleep).  I listened to the advice:  PUT IT AWAY.

So, while I feel accomplished (though not quite like the rush I felt on Saturday night) I also feel a bit lost:

I feel that I understand now what it takes to get into the process of writing and sitting down and doing it.  I also feel that I understand how it's different for everyone.  What worked for me is not focusing on the things that were keeping me from writing, not looking for excuses not to write, but to just get it done.  I had a weekly goal, which I broke up into daily goals (but if I missed one, it was OK since I knew I could make it up by the end of the week).  Making a daily goal felt good, but making the weekly goal felt AWESOME!

Now to the feeling lost part: How do you deal with not going in there and editing it right away?  I understand that it needs time to gel and that the mind's eye needs some time away from it so that it can refresh and be more perceptive.  I mean, I know I should (and will be) writing the next one (I've got two pretty strong ideas to roll with) but other than that, what works to get the mind from thinking about that project while you're working on the next one?  I'll have to do some looking into it.  I've made lots of new friends on Twitter, I'm sure there'll be something on there with some advice that will work.  :)

OK, one more time and then I'll stop riding this scooter:  I feel pretty good at finishing the rough draft of my first ever novel, over 60K words.

Well, that's it for now, I'm sure I'll be back on later in the week to talk more.

Have a great night everyone, thanks for reading and thanks for your support!

~Stephan

St. Patrick's Day Completion

First Draft COMPLETE!  60,225 words.

There is a lot I want to say right now, but I am exhausted.  Look for a more thoughtful post tomorrow.  Until then, I'm going to have a well deserved lie down.

Thanks for your support and thanks for reading!

~Stephan

Wednesday Night Headbutt

Total Word Count (approx.): 54K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 1K

Well, I can see what my Saturday night is going to be like:  Me, any alcohol still left in the house, and my laptop, hammering away to get those last few thousand words.

Didn't get much of anything done today as far as writing is concerned, but I do feel a bit more accomplished as a social networker.  I got connected to a lot of experts out there who both influence me and educate me and I'm pretty stoked about it.  Enough so that it's worth trading off some drinking time for writing.

Just came out of the Horror Book Club meeting as well and it was pretty awesome.  Read a great book (which spoiled me and set the bar for all horror stories I read from here on in) and discussed it at pretty good length.  I mentioned it before, Brian Keene's 'A Gathering of Crows'.

Anyroad, I have discovered a thing or two about pacing and looking forward to utilizing that knowledge in the revision of the story.  Also, I'll need a title which is something that I'll be working as well on Saturday night.

So, for all those that I said I'd get together Saturday night, sorry, no dice, gotta work.  Trust me, though, it'll be totally worth it.

Thanks for your support and thanks for reading!

~Stephan

MNWS IV - Rage against the Monday

Total Word Count (approx.): 53K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 3K 


So, today was a helluva Monday.  Through it, though, I got a good deal of writing done.  Closing in on the finish line and got to hang with a friend, both of us feverishly hovering over our laptops, brows furrowed in concentration.   We even got some writing done through all our posturing.  :)


Actually it was very productive and these sessions are very helpful for me.  Plus, the cookie helped.  Still, it's important to note in this journey that while it may seem that I've been very productive (because I have been) recently, it's been a more recent thing and this has been the end result of a less productive time.


Not to mention that writing in a good headspace is not as difficult than writing from a not so good headspace (which is where I have been today, pretty much all day).  It can be helpful for material to be reminded of your repressed anger (by its untimely escape) but it certainly isn't productive in the long run.  


Anyroad, I've jabbered long enough.  Thanks for reading and thanks for your support.  


~Stephan

Funny thing about motivation and momentum

Total Word Count (approx.): 50.1K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 2.3K (700+ on Thursday afternoon)


OK, so here's the thing.  I've done more in the past few weeks than I have ever before.  That's certainly not how things started.

I started out working on this whenever.  An hour here, a few hours there, but not on a daily basis.  What got me motivated was attending that panel at Capricon and seeing my peers giving advice.  It was at that point (and the beginning of this blog) that I started devoting nightly time to writing.  

I heard this quote once (or maybe I read it) and it stuck with me.  How we treat ourselves in failure describes who we are.  That said, I don't always get my stuff done when I want to.  Yesterday, for example, I wanted to have 2000 words but got only 700.  

The idea is that when you don't reach a goal, don't beat yourself up.  Try and stay positive and get motivated to continue on with your work.  

It is this idea, this concept that has pushed me forward to meet my weekly goals every week.  Here I am, one week away from achieving my goal of finishing my first draft.  

So, at the end of an exhausting week, after life has interjected itself in my writing goal, I sit here in somnolence and try to say something motivational that doesn't sound egotistical and I hope that I have achieved that. 

Keep your chin up, roll with what life throws your way, and don't let your setbacks take you out of play.  It's alright to be delayed, but don't let those things that delay you change your life for the worse.  You're better than that.  :)

Thanks for reading and thanks for your support!

~Stephan

When in doubt... drink!

Total Word Count (approx.): 47.1K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 4.1K

I preface this post by saying that this is the first time I've ever done anything like this.   After this afternoon, I didn't really feel like writing tonight.  I was pretty exhausted, I already wrote my two-thousand words (even though I skipped last night since I knew I'd have the option today) and I had just come home from having dinner with the in-laws.

So, instead of succumbing to the lethargy of it all, I found something that smashed away the torpor, with a vengeance.  It's called alcohol.  In fact I'm hard pressed at this very moment to find a problem that a pint glass (or two) full of Irish Creme and Buttershots (with some ice) couldn't help with.  

Not that I'm encouraging alcoholism, nor do I want to feed into the stereotype that all writers must drink before composition.  I am, however, saying that it really cut into the languid feeling and while it didn't energize me, exactly, it did what alcohol does best.  It got me to issue a challenge.  

Fortunately for me, the challenge was internal and was with the written word and not in a bar facing down a few belligerent (and also drunk) hooligans looking for a fight.  

Anyroad, I believe this is a milestone for me.  I'm only about thirteen-thousand words away from my end goal for my first draft and I've never written over four-thousand words of fiction in one day before.  Well, unless you count grad school, but I don't.  

Thanks for reading and as always, thanks for your support!

~Stephan

MNWS III - Control is an Illusion

Total Word Count (approx.): 43K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 2K

Control is an illusion.  Organization and dedication are the keys.

I woke today with a feeling like an undefined revelation.  I felt good, even for getting only a few hours sleep.  I didn't dwell on my lack of sleep, nor did I question this good feeling.  OK, that's a fib.  I did wonder where it came from, like perhaps I uncovered the "Secret" during the few hours I did get some sleep, or perhaps my dream self took an astral journey to Valhalla and brought back a pewter mug or something.  

Then, on my way here to my writing session, a phrase came to mind.  It just popped in there.  It's a phrase I've heard over and over from one of my favorite movies ("Revolver").  Control is an illusion.  

Life isn't meant to be a struggle, it's meant to be lived.  Unfortunately, we do struggle, most of the time it's what we focus on in our daily lives (and not judging, but this is focus is greatly enhanced and enabled through things like Facebook).  

What this revelation is, what has me in such a good spirit, is that I've given up the notion that I have any control over my life.  By embracing this thought, I've stopped focusing on struggling to control the things I can't, and accepted the things that come into my life, either good or bad.  

That is not to say that I believe this is a "roll over and take it" attitude, not at all.  I have certain beliefs of right and wrong and if those are crossed, there will be consequences for the transgressor.  What it IS to say is that I have rid myself of the fear that I will "lose" control.  Since control doesn't really exist, I can't "lose" it.  

That is also not to say that I believe we have no control over any aspect of our lives.  That's not true.  We have choices to make on a daily basis on how we act.  The difference is that I no longer carry the belief that I can control my "life" or anyone else's.  Sure, I can impact someone else's life, but I cannot "control" it.  How that impact is handled is out of my control.  Sure I might be able to predict the flow of events, but I cannot control it.  

I imagine that what is needed now is the definition of "life".  This is a grand undertaking that has been the focus of most self-help books for the past three decades.  What I am meaning by it in this context is that I cannot control my happiness or my sadness.  I cannot control my feelings or my thoughts.  I cannot control what happens to me or what happens to others.  The more I try, the more I focus on the struggle of trying to control those things rather than focusing on accepting that they are present, acknowledging that presence and their impact and then moving forward with my life. 

So, a lot of my life has been focusing on the struggle.  I've been aware of this issue for a long time and have a shelf full of self-help books to prove it.  This awareness has given me a semblance of power and a zen-like demeanor, but it has not been true understanding.  I feel that I have connected with a notion of true understanding and while I sit here and type and type, I ultimately find the more I attempt to define it further, the more words become diluted and weak.  

The main point, the point of this whole post and I could (and probably should) have just left it at this:  Control is an illusion.

It is my belief that in order to overcome those things that are holding us back, whatever they are, it comes down to organization and dedication.  Organize what it is you want into an achievable goal and then dedicate yourself to following the plan towards that goal.  Focus on the action towards the goal, not the action of struggling to achieve it (or what happens if you don't).  

So, once more:  Control is an illusion.  

Thanks for reading and thanks for your support!

~Stephan

Gnarly Head Writing!!!

Total Word Count (approx.): 41K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 2.5K   


Weekly word count (10,000 words) achieved!

So, this is going to be short and sweet.  I've accomplished my weekly goal, have a little over 41,000 words on paper and am two weeks away from finishing up.

I have to say this: One of my favorite things about writing is that I get to do it while drinking wine.  This Gnarly Head is a pretty awesome!

Have a great weekend everyone!  Thanks for reading and thanks for your support!

~Stephan 

Family Game Night!!!

Total Word Count (approx.): 38.5K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 2K

It's good to have something to take one's mind off the trials and tribulations of real life.  Tonight was Family Game Night and the Munchkin expressed a strong desire to play DnD again.  I realized it would be a lot of work (since I usually run it), and my wife did too, because she offered to run it.  

I had a blast and I can say that the Munchkin did as well.  Quote of the night (paraphrased due to fatigue and having just pushed out 2000 words in about forty-five minutes) in response to why she can't understand the squeaking of bats (something her character can't do normally), "They're not English bats then.  They must be French bats, of course."  Not bad for a 7-year-old.

Anyroad, enough about gaming, on to writing.  I'm pretty happy with where this is coming along.  This is the most I have ever written about one thing.  I have over 105 pages (courier 10pt double spaced) and I'm getting closer to the end.  After this week only twenty thousand more words and I'll have a first draft... lots of things to wrap up by then.  

So, all in all a good day, great night and now I can sign off, happy that I've accomplished my daily word count and only 2500 words to go for my weekly to be met.  Looking forward to getting past that tomorrow.  

Thanks for reading and thanks for your support!

~Stephan

Leap Day!

Total Word Count (approx.): 36.5K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 3.5K


This will be a short post with absolutely no motivational speaking in it whatsoever.   Ok, maybe a little.


I took last night off with the knowledge that I'd get some work done today.  Turns out, I did, just not enough to put me over the word count missed last night.  Still, there's tomorrow night and Friday with some evening time, so I'm not worried.


I imagine that working on a deadline is much different.  I mean, I have a deadline, and I'm going to stick to that deadline (believe me, you'll hear me shouting for joy, of course, it may also be the alcohol since my deadline is St. Patrick's day and, well, I am mostly Irish!) but it's not like if I don't meet it I will lose cash.  It's a self-imposed deadline rather than an advanced-driven deadline. 


The thing to keep in mind about deadlines (particularly self-imposed ones) and goal setting (at least for me anyway) is that it's easy to take them out of context.  For instance, sure, it's easy to say, "Yeah, I can write three thousand words a day" but if you don't look at the other impacts on your life and free time, then this may be a road to failure.  Set goals for a week and then break it down by day, giving yourself some "wiggle" room.  Really.  Especially if you have plenty of other stressors in your life (like kids, work, bills, etc...).  Find a goal that's right for your lifestyle.  Understand where you want to be with your work and when.   


So, that said, I'm pretty happy I pushed through my exhaustion to get some words on paper.  If I can do it, so can you, the reader, who I am assuming has in interest in writing.  


That said, get that butt in that chair and write, dammit!


Thanks for reading and thanks for your support.


~Stephan

Monday Night Writing Session II

Total Word Count (approx.): 33K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 2K 

Three cups of Hazelnut Coffee:  Check.

English to Latin phrase translator:  Check.

Writing a scene where a Southern hick vampire from a trailer park speaks a phrase in Latin:  Priceless.

Ok, so the second Monday Night Writing Session has been completed with much success.  Got my daily word count of 2000 words in.  Got to hang with my friend Dennis, who is also writing his story.  All very productive.

I encourage anyone who wants to partake in this productive creativity fest to come out and join us on Monday evenings from 7 - 9 at Panera Bread in Bolingbrook.  It's the one by Target and Jewel.  

Anyroad, not much else to say.  I'm pretty exhausted and am running on pure caffeine now, so I'll sign off by saying thanks to Dennis for helping me stay focused, my wife for being awesomely supportive, and to all of you for reading this journey.

Have a great Monday night.  See ya tomorrow!

~Stephan

Admiration

Total Word Count (approx.): 31K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 2.3K (Weekly goal of 10K words achieved!)


So, as the title of this blog insinuates, this post is about admiration.  Looking at my daily routine and knowing my energy level at the end of a full day (which is to say, all but none) and sitting down to write is one of the more difficult things I've had to do.  It'd be so easy to say, "I'm too tired" or "I've got a head-ache".  It'd be easy to fool myself into not doing the writing...


...but then I'd not be a writer.  Because then I look at some of the authors I've met who are a great influence to me, like Jim Hines, Tim Akers, and Matt Forbeck.  I look at the things they're doing, like Jim, who works a full time job outside of being a successful author and Tim who also worked a day job while being a successful author and Matt Forbeck who is on track to writing 12 novels this year.  I'm sure they all have days that they don't feel like writing, yet they do it.  And they've succeeded. 


So, tonight, through my exhaustion, through my head-ache, I achieved my weekly goal of ten thousand words.  I am officially half way done with my first draft (and have nearly 100 pages of text).  Sure, I felt like just lounging in the Poang and watching an episode of Being Human (UK) on Netflix, but instead, I wrote.  I put words on paper (virtual as it is).  I achieved my goal and now I have two days off.  To reward myself, tomorrow night should once again be a night filled with Talisman with friends.  

Thanks for reading, thanks for your support and have a great night!

~Stephan

Family Game Night!!!

Total Word Count (approx.): 28.7K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 1.5K 

Alright.  I wasn't going to write at all tonight.  I'm pretty exhausted.  Long day with the Benvolio, not much sleep, crazy anger dreams and all that.

Still, for not going to write and getting 1500 words done, it's not bad.  Fun scene too.  By the end of this week, I will be half way through with the first draft.  Then, three more weeks and the first draft will be done!  

So, I guess the lesson I learned tonight is:  even if you don't want to write... write anyway.  Again, it's the first draft, so who knows.  

Family game night was awesome.  Played Talisman with the fam.  Good times were had by all and it was a very close game.

Well, not much else to report tonight, looking forward to the snow we're supposed to be getting (and probably won't).  

Thanks for reading, thanks for your support and have a great night!

~Stephan

Hump Day... and I'm spent.

Total Word Count (approx.): 27.2K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 2K


Some days the words come easy.  Other days, not so much.  Tonight was one of those days.  I wrote for an hour and barely got 2000 words and it felt much harder than normal.  Still, I love where the story is going and it's getting tighter for being almost half finished. 

Looking forward to family game night, tomorrow night.  Other than that, I'm signing off for tonight.  Gonna curl up and hopefully finish reading the horror novel I have.  

Have a great night everyone.  Thanks for reading and thanks for your support.

~Stephan

Advice Day...

Total Word Count (approx.): 25.2K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 2.2K


Well, today was rough.  Trying to stick to a schedule with a one year old who doesn't can cause quite a bit of stress.  Particularly when sleep is missed.  Still, it ended on a positive note.  Had a great work-out at the gym, an awesome dinner, and then, when all I wanted to do was curl up and watch bad television shows on Netflix, I instead pounded out 2200 words.  


So, as the title states, today is advice day.  Not that I'm giving any.  Nope.  I just wanted to let folks know about it, where to get it, and how I feel about it.


First, for those of you who also follow my Facebook page, you'll note that I shared a link to Chuck Wendig's 'Terrible Minds' blog.  Today's article was very germane (one of my favorite words) to my life currently.  It was about Advice for Aspiring Authors.  Not only is it funny, but it's also very true, or I should say that its truth resonates with me strongly.  Like the Force.  I highly recommend reading it.  Especially if you feel you're one of my friends and want to offer me unsolicited advice.


Speaking of, I did a rant yesterday about it and I don't want to hash up what's in the past, but I do feel it important to re-iterate a few things with an addition:  Be a friend who offers support (NOT unsolicited advice from a "friend" of yours who may or may not be an "authority" on the subject).  If you want to help and offer advice, do research.   If you don't, that's fine too (I won't ever judge someone for NOT giving me advice), just admit it to yourself and move on.  Just don't be that person who offers uniformed information in a definitive manner.  It's self-aggrandizing and that's just unflattering.  More importantly, it's not at all helpful.   OK, moving on.


Where to get advice?  Just like how I mentioned Chuck Wendig above, find authors, particularly authors you enjoy reading, authors whose works you've read and whose works are similar to what genre you're writing in.  Follow them on Twitter and Facebook.  Find their blogs, read about their trials and tribulations.  Ask them questions.  Visit them at Conventions, sit on their panels, meet them in the bar afterwards and buy them a drink.  OK, don't STALK them, but you know, be cool.  They all started somewhere, probably where you're sitting right now, and they probably did a lot of what you're looking to do.  In other words, they are an "authority".

Ultimately, these are the things I'm doing and they work for me.  Find what works for you and do that.  It's the best advice I've gotten since "put your butt in the chair and get words on the page".

As always, thanks for reading and thanks for your support!

~Stephan

Monday Night Writing Session

Total Word Count (approx.): 23K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 2.1K




So, I totally blanked on the fact that Panera bread has different hours during the winter.  Anyroad, my my friend Dennis for a writing session that was supposed to go from 8 - 10, but instead went from about 7:30 - 9.  Next week, it'll be 7-9 and hopefully I can keep up the pace of the words to get  four thousand.  

We chatted a bit (and had a good laugh about the reasoning for my rant earlier today on Facebook) and I got to writing proper closer to 8.  In an hour I pumped out over 2100 words.  They were two great scenes (well, ok, one and a half) and I left the session feeling more energized than when I got there (of course, I also had two cups of coffee during my stay there, which were even more flavorful since they were free).  

I enjoy the fact that getting out of the house, sitting down with a friend and pounding out some creativity is energizing and exciting.  It helps and it's good and I'm looking forward to doing this every Monday (as often as possible, of course, what with raising two kids and care-taking for two old dogs, managing a house with my lovely wife and helping run a publishing company while she's still working on her costuming).  

Writing in the evenings, every weeknight, is definitely working for me.  Dennis and I chatted about patterns and tools for authors and writers and what I'd like to think came of this is some advice I'll offer out to the few who are reading this blog:  Find what works for you.  No one can tell you how to write but yourself.  Since you're the one writing, you're the one who has to find the best method to get that done.  If it's sequestering yourself in a dark, candle-lit room for a few hours, then great.  If it's not, then don't try to make it work.  Find what works for you and use it.  

Alright, I'm stoked, I'm energized and I'm ready for the rest of the week (which, according to the weather report, is going to be overcast and rainy).  

Weekly goal, ten-thousand words.  I'm over a fifth of the way there.  

Thanks for reading and thanks for your support!

~Stephan

How much wood could a Woodchuck chuck...

Total Word Count (approx.): 20.8K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 1.2K 


So, motivation-wise, I wrote for only about half an hour before I had a good cut off point.  I intended to write until 8:30 when my wife and I were going to go and watch "Drive" but it turned out I got out roughly the amount of words I wanted in about half the time.   Huzzah.


Setting a time to write and then getting in the habit of writing at that point is really a great way to train your body and mind to do what it is you need to do.  So, this week I've almost doubled my word count.  What does that mean?  Well, it means that in the past five nights (about five hours) I've done as much work on this novel as I've done over the past month and a half. 


So, now that I've had four Woodchucks, and posted my word count and such here, I'm heading to the living room for some well deserved R&R.  

I've also discovered that it's important to give yourself a day off and that's what tomorrow is.  Tomorrow I am not writing (but I am drinking whatever's left in the house after tonight and also playing Talisman with some friends).   Something to work for, something to look forward to.  

So that said, I'm looking to write 10,000 words a week.  That means that I'll have reached my intended goal (and hopefully the end of this story) by St. Patrick's Day.  

Coincidence?  I think NOT!!!!  Guinness and Woodchuck's make an excellent substitute black and tan as well as a great way to celebrate.

Alright, thanks for reading and thanks for your support.  Now go out there and have a GREAT weekend!  :)

~Stephan

Something Pithy Here

Total Word Count (approx.): 19.6K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 1.5K


Well, I was going to write something pithy here (and I did, just look up), but my exhaustion is taking its toll.  I didn't even feel like writing tonight (I just felt like curling up and watching another episode of Lie to Me).  Still, I got almost six pages  done (1531 words to be exact) and it was a fun (for me, not so much for the main character) scene to compose.  Got to do some voodoo-esque divination and the main character falls unconscious... again.  :)


Anyroad, feeling a lot better about things, rejection and such (which, by the way, didn't really bother me so much, but since it's a common state of affairs in this arena I thought it germane to reiterate my thoughts and feelings on it).


I'm also kind of psyched to hopefully take a night and spend two hours (instead of my normal one) with a friend to do some mutual(ly exclusive) writing on a regular basis.  


Once more, thanks for reading, and thanks for your support and if you missed my post about rejection, just go here.  


Thanks,


~Stephan

Rejection: It's not the end of the world, though it may feel like it.

I've been told that dealing with rejection in a positive manner is one of the most important tools a writer can have in their toolbox (on par with dealing with criticism in a positive manner).

It's true, and while we're taught to "don't let it bother you" or "don't lose sleep over it" that's not to say "pretend it doesn't affect you".  Not only is this true for writers, but for all social creatures (and yes, if you're reading this or even if you just saw the link on Facebook, you're a social creature).

In my experience, how strongly rejection affects you is directly proportional to the amount of investment you have with what's being rejected.  There are, of course, other mitigating factors but those are the basics.  Of course every writer wants to get their work accepted and are thus heavily invested, but this can apply to almost all walks of life:  personal achievement, dating, gaming, and really almost any social interaction.

Rejection can trigger strong emotions, particularly when first encountered and those emotions can linger.  There's not a quick fix or trick or magic spell to rid yourself of these emotions or to ignore them.  In fact, ignoring them (and pretending they don't exist) is, again in my experience, probably one of the worst things anyone can do.

The question then would be:  Well, Sir Baldylocks, if I can't ignore it or pretend it doesn't exist, what CAN I do?

Great question, I'm glad you asked!

There are a number of things that have helped me and I offer them up to help you:

1.  Remember that optimism is learned.  One can only learn something if they're open to learning and wanting to learn it.  So it's not a matter of saying you're just not an optimistic person, it's a matter of asking yourself if you truly want to be optimistic.  There's nothing wrong with saying no, but acknowledge that you're making that choice (as opposed to that choice being made for you).

2.  Acknowledge your emotions, recognize them for what they are and let them move on.  Depressed because you got three rejection letters in one week?  Great.  Acknowledge that you're feeling depressed, recognize why you have it and then continue your work.  Don't, however, cling to it or try to force yourself to feel better.  Allow those feelings to flow and take breaks where you can to do some things to help you feel better (a cup of tea, a piece of chocolate, reading of non-required material, an hour of a video game, etc...), but don't allow your emotions or your distractions from keeping you from your work.

3.  Work through it.  Let's take an example of a physical injury.  When we suffer an injury, we acknowledge it, we recognize it, we apply pain killers and then we start re-working it.  Sure, our effectiveness might be a bit lower for the first few attempts afterwards, but soon enough we are back in business.  Movement is life, but you have to be the one who decides to move or to not to move.  In my experience, one of the most empowering feelings is making that decision to get up after being knocked down, and then getting up.

4.  Be in the moment, but remember the past and gaze at the future.  You may be feeling like it's the end of the world right now (and that's valid), but you've not always felt this way and I can tell you that you're not always going to feel that way.  How do I know?  I don't.  I'm guessing, but I do know that I've been rejected a lot, I've felt like the world was ending, but I also know that I didn't feel this way all the time and I got through it to feel not like that any longer.  But this isn't about me, it's about you.  So, you, ask yourself how you're feeling right now, acknowledge it, recognize it.  Now remember a time when you didn't feel this way.  Not too hard, right?  Now, I'm not a doctor or a scientist (and I've not even played one on TV, though there was this one time I was a double agent on a pilot episode of a soap opera) but I am a social creature and in my experience, feelings fluctuate.

5.  Keep working.  Did I mention this already?  Yeah, but it's important so I thought I'd mention it again.  Sometimes, some of the most productive days at the gym (or any task, really) are days when you don't feel like going.  I've not ever come home from the gym and thought, "man, I wish I didn't go today".  It may not be your best work, but it will be work and you will show yourself that you CAN work through something.

6.  Own your feelings.  They are yours, after all.  Blaming someone else for how you're feeling only works to undermine your empowerment OF those feelings.  Yes, someone rejects you (or your work, or your advances, or your lunch) and it can hurt.  Saying they hurt you is taking away your power to deal with your feelings and giving that power to someone else.  Saying you hurt is enough and is more empowering for you.  The more power you feel you have over your emotions, the more ownership you feel you have over your emotions, the more you actually do.  One learns to be strong by overcoming obstacles, not blaming others for those obstacles.

7.  Moral Support.  It's addictive and dangerous, but like anything that's addictive and dangerous, it's also rewarding.  There is nothing wrong with saying to a friend, "Hey, I'm feeling a bit down, I could use a hug."  I encourage it.  Occasionally.  Becoming addicted to it and needing it are harmful to your ability to overcome obstacles.  A friend will give you a hug when you need it, a REAL friend will not when you don't.  Ok, it's not a perfect allegory, but hey, you get the idea.  Remember:  you're not alone in your feelings, but sometimes you need to be.

Alright, I think I've rambled long enough.  I hope this helps.  Thanks for reading and thanks for your support!  :)

~Stephan

People still use Macs?

Total Word Count (approx.): 18.1K; Daily Word Count (approx.): 1.1K 

Not too shabby for having two people chatting while I'm writing.  :)  I'm actually pretty excited about the scene I wrote tonight.  Not as many words as I'd like, I want to be at 24K by Saturday.  I'll just have to work extra hard tomorrow night and Friday night.  

Still, keeping the momentum going with the BICWOP philosphy (Butt In Chair, Words On Paper) and that's the important thing.  

I mean, I want to be able to publish thoughtful posts on a daily basis, but the trouble is by this time every night, I've been awake for about fifteen or sixteen hours and am pretty drained in all aspects of my existence.  

Still, I feel that I am on to something here.  I'm excited to write this story, write about these characters (they're so vivid I can see them in my head), and flesh them out (well, not ALL of them, some of them aren't flesh and blood ;) ).

Anyroad, I wrote and now I'm going to reward myself with some MST 3K and some alcohol... of the drinking variety.  :)

Thanks for reading and thanks for your support!

~Stephan