Posts Tagged ‘writing’

One fabulous lesson I’ve learned this past year is to deal with people’s personalities and their motivation. Now, for those people who are not me, this is common sense. But this revelation was so insightful. You see, I live in this happy little Rose-colored glasses bubble and sometimes think that everyone sees things the way I do. Of course, that is ridiculous, because, as I ironically believe, no one thinks or feels the same way about anything. But my approach, as chaotic as it is, to most things in life is just what works and seems so logical. It escapes me how some people think, act and do. Not everyone, but some people. I’m just not built that way. Anyway.

During my shift today, I had the opportunity to take a personality quiz. It was a bit more insightful than those online social media apps in which your random answers generate an even more random result. I’ll share mine more in a moment.

When I read my outcome and saw in stark black and white my strengths, weaknesses, motivations and fears, I was pleased. I knew that it was 98% right on. But then I thought about some evening magazine show I watched years ago that had similar testing on subjects who were skeptics regarding horoscopes. The testers gave the testees a phoney personality self assessment of likes, dislikes, et cetera, and then gave each member of the testing group a result. Almost all info given was quite positive. Each participant seemed pleased with the results and proclaimed something to the effect that it must be true. But the veil was lifted and the horoscope results were revealed to not be their own but those of some multinamed serial killer. Chilling. This relates to my thought because I was so pleased and saw myself in the list I was given today, but for only a second did I consider if the other possible outcomes could be equally beneficent.

As my analytical and mayhaps paranoid mind worked this little puzzle that wasn’t, I read each possible profile outcome, and while there were good and bad, pro and con for each, none really seemed to fit me. So, my little serial killer theory was nil. Whew! On paper, I’m a pretty decent gal. I have flaws, but we all do. Overall, and I must boast, I have a GREAT personality.

This exercise was given out by a leader of that unit on which I toiled today in order to better staff for maximum proficiency and a more positive dynamic. That sounded so good in theory, I’m trying to figure out a way to incorporate it into my scenes.

I can’t even think about it just yet, because I first need to share my results…the way the answers were derived seemed childish. Two columns of preferences list, side by side certain aspects you either agree with or don’t. Different letters are next to each: B,G,Y or R. These represent a color. You select either the left or right option for each row and then add up your letters. It turns out my Dominant personality is represented by Y, or Yellow. I have a blend of B/G. These are not representing your aura, although that would be interesting too. It’s just a key to the personality profiles. Here is what yellow means: My strengths apparently, are being people oriented (because yeah, sure, I’m sooo shy.) I’m flexible, and love to talk. Check, check and double check. It states my weaknesses include time problems, lacks enough facts, doesn’t listen. Well, I agree with the time management thing….and I do listen. I just have ADD so I might space out before you get to your… It indicates a fear is social disapproval. Well, maybe. I don’t want to care what others think, and for many things, I have enough confidence in myself to not, but for other things, well, approval is nice. The B/G mix indicates some of my gestures, I guess. Direct gaze, relaxed stance, gestures used sparingly. As if! I use my hands so much when I talk, that I have hurt myself. (Grace is not my middle name, Mom always said.) It further adds that I lean back, eyebrows raised, with controlled gestures. The first set was blue; second, green. So, this part was less accurate. I am very demonstrative, in facial expressions (much to my detriment. No, I promise I’m NOT thinking anything/mad/sad) and in my physical body language.

Oh goodness, there’s more pages! So then it goes to further evaluate me. Or what this test says is me.
“Yellow/blues have natural ability in all aspects of the job.” Well, ok. “They sell ideas or services with emotions and word pictures.” That might be my favorite part. (It’s says I’m a writer! Then dang! I must be.) “They are well organized and have a competitive spirit.” Meh. “They get along with most everyone and welcome change.” I guess. And to be more effective I should conciiously deal with high energy and my need to change to control. (It’s MY blog, darnit.) They need a variety of tasks and help with more routine tasks. Hellooooo. ADD

Then, because this test skewed me into a Y/G mix too, I have more almost right descriptions. I feel like I made enough of a point to stop there. Another page describes my yellow dominant. But I, again, digress.

The point is how could I apply this to writing? I really could. You see, on the first page it describes some gestures based on personality. And there are descriptions of a variety of talents, fears, etc. I could so do a character outline just from this exercise!

So, long story short… too late?…How do you get into the nooks and crannies of your character? Add those fine tuning aspects that make them leap from the page. This is one tool that certainly can help. Me anyway…

For what it’s worth, I don’t believe that we only have 9 days until the Rapture. But without getting too far into a theological debate, let’s entertain the idea that we do, in fact, only have one week, two day until the beginning of the end.

If any of my author friends have set their goals by this year’s end, you better speed it up. Getting published now is hard enough, but the demand for HEA when the disciples are off of this planet surely will plummet. Or maybe not. For those Left Behind, looking for an escape and at least a “Happily for Now” might be quite desired. That is, of course, unless there will be massive book burnings.

Not unlike the film The Book of Eli, post-apocalyptic Earth will be scouring the barren regions for sustenance. For the physical, it will be water and food, lest ye becometh a heathen cannibal. But for the soul, it will be fonts of words. Knowledge in black and white. Fiction and fantasy or truth and guidance.

Will our ever loved regencies and historicals, contemporary and YA sagas make it into this aftermath? Is your fallout shelter bookshelf stocked with soul and mind nourishing data? Will the fantasy of today find no appeal in the survivalists’ reality.

Yeah, we should live today as if it were our last, but dadgoneit! That’s a lot of pressure to put on me to write; as if I weren’t hard enough on myself already, now I not only have to finish in less than half a month, but edit and submit and edit again. How do you market a book in such a short time?

I think the aftermath will revert to oral traditions and mythology. It seemed to have worked for the Greeks.
Ooh! If I can come up with a strange and ingenious display of cartographs, I can leave a lasting extraterrestrial inspired code on the walls of my home. The next inhabitants of this green planet can wonder at the Royals tribe and what did it all mean?

Any thoughts? I’ll be in my backyard, digging.

And for a visual interpretation of the above post, here is my wordle for it. Enjoy.

Remember in a previous post I spoke about drawing? I really am not good at it on the computer, and on paper, it’s passable, but I’m no DaVinci. Shoot, I’m not even Brosh
Well, here’s my attempt to illustrate a post in which I wrote about not forgetting.

Not horrible. It gets the message across. But not really as amusing as others. Oh well. I’ll stick to writing. Or at least thinking about writing.

I have this title saved in my drafts section of this blog. I do that sometimes when I want to remember to write this spectacular and brilliant piece. I figure that the witty title will stimulate that part of my brain from whence greatness comes. It’s like the string tied around your finger. You look at the string. Scratch your head. Glare at the string, begging it telepathically to emit its secret to you. What was I supposed to remember? Think, brain, THINK.

I can’t remember what I was going to write, at. all. But I do know that I was inspired to write again by reading Hyperbole and a Half. Allie Brosh communicates in a way that I totally get. My viewers *do blogs have viewers*, nay, readers, know that I am very ADD. But reading her rambling insight renewed my belief in myself. It centered for me the fact that most creative people have some affliction, and with ADD I can focus on almost nothing for long, but on lots of things all the time. If I do it successfully, then I can say I am a multitasker…

Ok. I didn’t doubt that I want to write or indeed that I am an author. But it sparked that fire that had been turned a little low.

But now I’ve run out of ideas. This post has been open for over 24 hours begging for me to write it. So, I’ll make a list, and see how long it gets, on what actually is the Write of the Navigator.

1. Quite literally, it could be a map. That doesn’t sound like much fun unless the it is a treasure map. And crap, as if that were the magic string, I think I remembered the point of the title…. shoot. I thought the list would at least get to 7. I’ll get to that later then, but cause I really want to make this list….

2. It’s the tenet of The Navigator. Said in the totally multisyllabic exaggeration connoted in my head. NaveegayTOR. Emphasis on Tor. Not Ter, but Tor. His tenets include, but are not limited to, exploring the vast universe that exists only on the web. He can direct you to any blog about nothing. The ones that are really about something or have meaningful content other than amusement or entertainment are boring to him. Or her. Or it. Gender is not certain for The Navigator.

3. It’s a typo or a pun. It’s supposed to say Flight. Of course. Do you think I’m a moron?

4. It’s an insightful secret that is known only to me, except I don’t know it yet because it’s that profound. Profundity is a magnificent thing. It’s like when I was in the fourth grade and was reading that book by L’Engle and understoon 4th dimension for a mere nanosecond and at that nanosecond I felt like the genius of all geniuses, but then *poof* it was gone. And to further mess with your head, this tesseract is an example of 4th dimension. Have fun.

5. Or it’s another typo/pun, nay, homophone, that shoulda said Rite. or Right. If it’s a Rite, it certainly is that of The NavigaTOR. But if it’s a Right, it falls to all who would be a navigator. Like the right of way. And if I were clever or talented with drawing at all, I would illustrate each of these. I did try, with the ribbon on the finger thing. I even tried to insert it, but it poofed. I could NOT find it. But if I do later, I’ll come back and edit this post.

6. It’s really hard coming up with different things that the title could mean. I read it and think, “That’s kind of clever, but I don’t get it.” So if I don’t get it, how am I supposed to make it make sense to you? It’s a confounding title that aggravates me now.

7. Could I even leave the e off of Write and make it Writ? It sounds more like the Tenet thing. The Mission Statement of the Navigator. He/She/It could have one. Who knows. It would be something totally plebeian yet because of that, appeals to the commoners in a visceral way. (And yes, I know plebeian means common, so I’m probably a bit redundant there.)

Now, I did make it to seven and that was exhausting. Back to your irregularly scheduled post…

As I alluded above, I did have a lightbulb moment in which I sorta remembered what this title was supposed to mean. It had to do with maps.

And with writing.

There are different kinds of authors out there. Some who can begin the story at the beginning and go forward in a useful and logical manner until ‘The End.’ This is called doing by the seat of your pants, or ‘Pantsing.’ I like for it to be in order because it allows my suspension of disbelief to take me where my characters go. And they like to have their own way. Really are bossy buggers. But some authors plot. And there are varying degrees to plotting. No method is wrong. But I would seriously doubt my sanity if I even ventured to try the Snowflake method. I am entirely too ADD to stick to it long enough to even make part of a flake. (again, insert illustration here, If I could draw.) I would get to the part of drawing to where it looks like the Star of David and go off reading Wikipedia about Judaism or Kabbala. And then I’d go around wearing a red string on my wrist because I want to be a good person, but although I believe in Christ, I’d want to practice faith as he did. See. I can’t even talk about the snowflake method cohesively.

The way I write is somewhere in between. (in case you hadn’t noticed.) I lack both the attention span and the discipline to write straight through because even though the story always starts at the beginning, I’ll have random moments where scenes pop in my head, usually when I’m in the shower or about to go to sleep. At which point I wish I had a waterproof pen and pad or could write in the dark blindly. (which I mean literally. Without my contacts or glasses, I can’t even read the big E at the top of the chart, when my nose is touching said chart.) Could you imagine me trying to transcribe my wet and/or blind scribbles? It just wouldn’t work. So these random scenes are always like an epiphany. Sometimes, a mental writing road block is opened and I miraculously can move the story forward, except that theres a gap between it and what I’ve already written. But since I ‘loosely plotted’ in my head, it kind of fits.

I’m not a fan of plotting, because, as I’ve said, it’s hard for me to accomplish with any flair. (Haha, now I’m thinking of Office Space!) The last time I tried to plot, I made a horrible synopsis and hated the story. Then I got depressed because that was NOT what I wanted to happen in the story. Then mad at myself for not knowing where I wanted the story to go. I wanted to write organically. Whatever that means.

How is this related to a map you ask? Well, let me tell you. Just as there are more than one way to skin a cat, or to get from point A to point B, there is more than one way to write right. There is no right way. Do what works best for you. YOU are your own NavigaTOR of your story, and indeed of your life. So make your flight what you wish it to be. You can set your own Tenets and Mission Statement and you own your own methods of madness, or Rites, and as such, they are yours (Rights.)

I’m rather impressed with myself for how handily I tied that together. It’s amazing how the ADD mind works. It can really make no sense at all but in the end, it really did.

I have titled this entry based on an idea I had as I went to sleep.
I get a lot of ideas at that time. Inconveniently so, as I no longer have room on my bedside table for the necessary pen and notepad. *note to self, reorganize nightstand.*

But, I have only a glimmer of what that idea exactly meant. I do know that currently, I have several things in life going through transitions. Mostly, stressfully.

But I feel good about them. Boss throws me a curve ball, I hit it out of the park. It does make me wonder what she’s gonna throw at me next. Bring it on, baby.

The changes her dictate caused affected not only me, but my family and their routines. I’m still resentful of it, but I plan to make the most of it and use it to my advantage. It’s really more taxing and stressful on my mother in law now, and because of her sacrifice, we’ll be less sturdy financially, but I’m hoping I can supplement the difference in other ways… I digress.

Among the new things in my life is a much needed treatment. I am sort of anxious about it, but in a positive, hurry-up-and-wait kind of thing. A benefit of this, besides improved health, is I hope some quality catch up writing time.

As it is, I’m motivated to move quickly on this book because more books are popping up in my head. I’ve saved the ideas in other files to return to at a later date, but the fact that this is happening is golden! My creativity has been dulled and an alternative choice created the change necessary to rewaken the muse.

So, change is good. It has to be. Otherwise, I’m just lost.

So what does an author of colonial historical romance do on President’s day when she’s off from her RL job and she has the kids?

I had planned to take out some large chunks of time and devote it to my current work in progress that is becoming a Herculean effort. But instead, I cleaned the heck out of my room while watching the History Channels presentations on the presidents. They only played from Washington to Lincoln. But I enjoyed it.

Of course, that led to plot bunnies and more inspiration. I can’t take NEW ideas right now. I can store them away for a while until it’s time for their turn. I’ll be damned if I never finish this book. I have 14 to finish before I get to my next ‘thing’ whatever that may be. I hate that I can’t finish anything. But it will happen.

Now that H is not showing anymore presidents day stuff, I pulled up my Netflix and have one of my favorite musicals playing. 1776 There you go for more inspiration.

What inspires, or derails you?

Oh, and by the way, a Plot off is just brainstorming with my author pals and pluging plot holes.

My ideas come so sporadically sometimes that when I need to be productive I have to force it. And usually that doesn’t amount to very good work. They say that bad work is better than no work.
Why is it when I have projects for non writing tasks, the pressure just adds to the allure and quality of the piece? It’s not for lack of passion that my writing suffers. Discipline, maybe. Well, I do have a theory…it’s chemical. My muse gets silenced at times. But if I don’t partake of this Adult ADD thing then everything else suffers. You read (i hope) my previous post in which I described my ADD. It was not an exaggeration. Now, it was an example of my more hyper times. It’s not always like that.

One way that I ‘force’ myself to do whatever is to minimize distractions. I like too much and usually all at once. I feel like i’ll miss something if I don’t keep it at hand. TV, twitter, FB, Divas. Whatever. Well, this is obviously not conducive to writing. So I do a small exercise to refocus myself. I switch projects to do something quick and less stressful, like a blog post for example. And once I ‘prime’ myself I feel refocused and ready to take on the task at hand. It also helps when the demand is down. I serve in multiple roles.
That is really no surprise. Wife, mother, housekeeper. Full time job that is quite demanding.
So, today I took a mental day. Day off from FT job. Got some housework done without feeling pressured. Less guilt now to sit down at pc and enjoy.

*sigh*
So now I can work on my other job. my unpaying one. The one that I feel could pay off in the long run if my ambitions are met. You know, the whole colonial series being contracted and made into movies for Hallmark channel. (Hey it’s okay to dream and I could dream bigger, but really, I think that’s pretty lofty!)

But it won’t go anywhere if I don’t ‘get ‘r’ done’ So, after this side project called today’s blog post, I will write. I will finish these last few pages of edits and I WILL WRITE!

right?

We’ll see. Another tool to get in gear is the timed challenges. I have spoken of these before in my You gotta have friends post.
Off I go. What? You want to challenge too? Be my guest!

Compromising Positions releases today!

Falling in love is the last thing on his busy agenda…but compromising positions can lead just about anywhere.

David Strong knows how to do a lot of things—run an international fitness company, finesse stock portfolios and stay out of emotional entanglements. That is, until he gets tangled up with Sophie Delfino and her Sensational Sex workout. He’s supposed to help her demonstrate Kama Sutra positions for her couples’ yoga class. The rigorous postures require more than just physical control. And his co-instructor unexpectedly tests his control to the limit.

Sophie’s been fantasizing about David since her teens, but she never dreamed she’d actually be expected to run through her intimate desires—with an audience! The class is very professional, tame even—or it would be, if she’d been in any of the positions before. But she hasn’t—except in her wildest fantasies about David. Sophie knows she wants David in every way, and she’s flexible enough to use whatever she has to get him.

David can’t afford any unexpected distractions. Besides the sensual positions he has to endure without embarrassing himself in public, there’s an embezzler stealing from his company. And then there’s Sophie—who is well on her way to stealing his well-guarded heart.

Warning: This is one exercise program you won’t need to consult your doctor before beginning…unless he’s hot and available for house calls. The Kama Sutra isn’t for the prudish or faint of heart, and neither is this story.

Read An Excerpt Online

REVIEWS

“With sensual love scenes, flirty repartee, and a man and woman clearly meant to be together, you get everything you could ever want in a romance novel. Overall, I have to say that Compromising Positions is a must read!”
~ Long and Short Reviews

“Compromising Positions would have to be one of the best contemporary romance novels I have read in a long time. Jenna Bayley-Burke delivers it all, romance, humor, and great chemistry between her hero and heroine. It is so well written. The pace is great, and the story line fantastic.”
~ Fallen Angel Reviews

“This thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy has likable characters and a smart, spitfire heroine…Bayley-Burke delivers a really fun read. ”
~Romantic Times

So I have four google chrome pages up. I’m eating, watching tv and playing a game. I’m listening to music and I’m blogging. But how can any one thing get my full attention?

Well, it can’t. But it allows my easily distracted brain to not get bored. My current fascination is with the Celtic Woman clips on youtube . PBS had a showcase of their talent and I went to find more. And as I do, I had to find out about them. One of the members names is Maeve. A very lovely name. It will feature in one of my colonial books.

But for now I have the music playing on an autoplay, finding not only that particular group, but others with similar musical qualities. And it’s inspiring. While I should be continuing my work on the never ending novel of Constance, I’m moved to write Maeve. I don’t even have her story fleshed out yet. But the sounds move me. At least the accompaniment is peaceful. Very pleasant a soundtrack for writing, or for playing games or for ….oh look, a kitty.

You ever want something so much that it’s all you think about? I feel that way about my writing and one other thing. I hesitate to mention it, but this thing has been so fully occupying that it’s almost had me forget about writing.

That, and I’m getting bored with my current project. So it goes to show that this past week has had my focus shifted. I feel a little multiple personality with it. This other creative outlet has nothing to do with writing except the fact that it could be a thing in a book. (ok. ok…I’ll tell you….it’s Capoeira. I.LOVE.IT)

But I digress. Do you find it hard to focus because of lack of focus? Ok. Stupid question. Let me put it this way…something consumes you, but then a new passion flames. What do you do? Leave one to cool while you tend the new one? My desire is never faltering for writing, nor for capoeira; it’s just stronger at times, depending on my life and what’s happening. When the writing seems to trickle, I become creative in other ways.

Capoeira is a way of life. Ask any capoeirista. It’s an amazing art that is more than the rigid Asian martial art in physicality and in regiment. There is such a spiritual and mental–thing about it that I can’t even describe. I found an apt description on another site, but for the life of me, I cannot find it right this minute.

I just feel like an evangelist who wants to spread the good news! I want EVERYONE to find capoeira and love it too. I wish it were closer to home. I love road trips, but to take this trip every week is such a chore, my dedication has to be from afar. And you can only do so much on your own. Part of the enjoyment, the play of capoeira is playing with others. Those are lessons not soon forgotten. I’ve gotten swept off of my feet literally, and it’s because my focus was not on the game at the time.

On a side note, my fellow capoeiristas recognize my dedication to my writing. Part of the ritual of this sport is receiving a nickname. Mine is Caneta, which means ballpoint pen. Hmph. Go figure. And I, of course, LOVE IT.

So, since I can’t play capoeira, and I can’t write anything worth spit, I’m writing about capoeira.

Axe.