Musings of a frustrated writer

Well, the title of this post tells it all. I'm trying to find time to write, and with work obligations (like I actually have to do some work) the kids home from school and needing constant entertainment, and the heat--I've neglected the craft I love.

Each night I sit before my computer ready, craving some writing time. Then the phone rings, something great is on TV, or the kids want a sleep over. I need to prioritize, but in the end, the kids come before writing.

So, I've devised a way to get some pages done without feeling the guilt of neglecting my children(and soccer season has ended, so huge blocks of time are free). I'm bringing my laptop with me everywhere. My son is at football practice, I'm writing. I'm waiting for the girls to finish dance, I'm writing with a cup of Joe at my side. And, when I can't use the laptop, I'm writing free hand--a long neglected art.

In addition to the family time, there is a lot to the business side of writing. Sending out proposals, participating on loops, and presenting online workshops all take up my time. Not to mention maintaining a website and blog. In the end, it is the promotional aspects that I am retaining and the other I'm slowly neglecting to see if they really matter.

I enjoy the blog and I love presenting workshops. In fact, I'm presenting a workshop right now title, "All I've learned about Gothics I've learned from Fairy Tales". Hopefully I'll be able to present it at the 2008 RWA conference. Workshops not only instruct those who attend, but I learn as I research and flesh out my notes. In the end, it's a win, win situation.

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles,
Madelyn

Authors I love

As many writers are, I'm an avid reader. And since I arrived home from the RWA National conference with a suitcase full of books, I'd like to share some of my finds.

I totally enjoy anything Nora Roberts writes, who doesn't? She has a slick way of making the characters come to life on the pages and gives them a voice that is so strong. Angel Falls was a great read in which I was kept in suspense until the beginning. I enjoyed it so much that I had to finish it before I even pick up my Harry Potter new release.

I've just discovered a new author--Eve Silver. She writes fantastic Gothics for Kensington and they are truly suspenseful, visceral, and engaging. Her book, Dark Prince is in the POV of the heroine only and I found myself falling in love with the hero without even getting a taste of his POV. That is a great talent, to be sure.

And after reading a Gothic, I moved on to funnier pastures--Stephanie Plum! Lean Mean Thirteen is a hoot as Stephanie gets into more trouble than Ranger or Morelli can get her out of.

And, saving the best for last, my friend Misty Simon has written a comedy that is sure to make everyone laugh out loud (a true test of romantic comedy). Her books feature Ivy, a girl who finds trouble and solves cases with the style and grace of Lucille Ball. Check them out a www.mistysimon.com.

All of the reading has inspired me and I find that I'm craving time to write and spill my guts on paper.

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles,
Madelyn