The deep south recently experienced a winter storm for the record books. It wreaked havoc on millions of people in various ways. I was shocked and amused at the same time at how ill-prepared the state of Mississippi is for this type of event. The entire town essentially just shut down. Our mail didn’t get delivered for an entire week. An ENTIRE week! All the government offices were closed. Most restaurants were closed. Even the grocery stores and casinos (which never close) were closed. Hotels along the interstate were overflowing because the highway was shut down and people were stranded. It was epic.
Happy new year! Grand tidings for brighter, more peaceful days. Only 75 days until spring officially starts! I think we’ve all breathed a sigh of relief that we’ve made it through 2020. That is behind us. Done. Gone. The End. Time for a new beginning. A new year. A new opportunity. Every day is a chance to make a fresh new start.
It’s been a tough week my friends. Lots of unexpected stuff happening right now. Lots of stuff I have no control over but I’ve tied a big knot and I’m holding on. We all have those life moments. (more…)
This week, I am quest blogging over at Making The Days Count. My cyber friend, Clay asked me to participate in his Tuesday’s Tune inspirational lyrics blog. I willingly agreed because Clay always strives to be positive and has many good things to share. (more…)
As I arrive home from the annual national conference of Romance Writers of America, I am weary but bursting with joy. I have learned much from the huge variety of engaging workshops and have filled my creative tank to maximum capacity.
Photo courtesy Google Images
I am still high from riding the waves of excitement that swell throughout this event. There is an unexplainable joy that settles into my soul when I am among like-minded individuals all pursuing the same goal; people who understand the ups and downs of this business we call writing.
Photo courtesy Google Images
I am hung over with the giddiness that comes from meeting new friends and reconnecting with others I see less often. A plethora of social events provides many opportunities to hear amazing stories of people who overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles on their way to success.
Photo courtesy Google Images
A rejuvenating optimism courses through my body and I return home inspired to dig a little deeper in order to achieve that next step on my journey.
Photo courtesy Google Images
Until next year, I shall endeavor to raise the bar on the quality of my work, my relationships and my life.
Photo courtesy Google Images
The following short poem, by Tiffany Prochera is an accurate reflection on my current state of mind. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
How about you dear readers – what inspires you? Where do you go, or what do you do when you need a little pick-me-up? Do conferences inspire you? Does nature inspire you? (Obviously it does me, ergo, the photos.)
Word of the Day: Winze
Fun fact about me: I love lighthouses.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, July 2014. Original poem by Tiffany Prochera. Photos courtesy Google Images.
The last couple of weeks, I’ve dealt with some particularly difficult people. I don’t think they were trying to be difficult, I think they were just confused, scared, frustrated or having a bad day, but when you total them all up, it’s taking a toll on my ability to stay focused and positive. I just want to do this:
Photo courtesy Google Images
My last post was surely indicative of recent events at my place of secular employment. In addition to that, I am the President of our local writer’s group and along with that comes responsibility and the need to have thick skin and a super high dose of patience. I am also married and that comes with it’s own set of problems and needs. Not that my marriage is in any way adding to my recent angst, but I have to always be mindful not to let my mounting frustrations and stress carry over to my time with my sweetie pie. He deserves better.
Photo courtesy Google Images
As I sat down to write yesterday, I found my mind wandering to stuff that really should be purged from my brain. It’s inconsequential and takes away from my ability to concentrate on what’s important to me – my writing. My writing time is precious and I don’t need it mucked up with unimportant things. A lot of you know what I’m talking about when I say that people around me don’t appreciate what I’m trying to accomplish. They see my writing as a hobby or something I do to relax and unwind. They don’t know how hard it is, how challenging or how how rewarding it really is. That adds to my frustration and sometimes I just can’t take it any more. I want to scream.
So, as my mind wandered away from my WIP (work in progress) and refused to come back, I decided why not just take a few minutes and indulge in the pity party; maybe the negativity will get bored and move on so I can get back to what’s important – my career as a writer.
So, as a tribute to all of those people who sucked the life out of me the past couple of weeks (not you sweetie pie) and all of those nay-sayers or folks choosing to keep my writing career in their blind spot, I pay homage by saying, good-bye. I’m done with your negativity and whining and complaining. I am a writer and I shall write.
I’m choosing to do this:
I hope you’ll join me on my journey. Now put on your crown and let’s be successful together!
Photo courtesy Google Images
Word of the Day: Bumptious
Fun fact about me: I don’t like wearing shoes without socks in the winter time.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt. Video courtesy of YouTube
It’s time to blog again and I’ve got to say, I’m a little uninspired. It’s not that I’m in a slump or anything, because my creative juicies have been overflowing. Unfortunately, not with blog ideas.
How we balanced our budget. Makes perfect sense. Photo courtesy Google Images
I have a good excuse. Really, I do. I’ve spent countless hours this weekend reading and revising my recently completed fourth manuscript. I’ve been to my monthly writer’s group meeting and conducted a very productive board meeting where we discussed next year’s writing programs, our annual Christmas party and our 3-day writing retreat in 2015. Oh sure, that budget part was a little yucky, but it comes with the territory.
As far as blogging, I got nothing. I think it’s time for a vacation. I know, I know, I just got back from a vacation only a few short weeks ago, but I think people should get vacations every other month. Don’t you?
I found this article, while I was busy doing nothing on the internet. And by nothing I mean something creative like looking at You Tube videos about making homemade Christmas decorations and scanning through hundreds of Pinterest photos for inspiration. That’s something. Right?
Anyway, that article, here’s the link: (Link was removed 11/4/13 by author)
Let me know if you’d rather be in any of these places right now instead of wherever you’re at. I know which one I’d pick.
What do you do when you lose your inspiration?
Word of the Day:
Fun fact about me: I can sing about 50 commercial jingles from the 80’s and 90’s. Something else cluttering up my brain.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, October 2013. Photo courtesy Google Images.
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