I was lucky enough to have won this copy in a giveaway done by the author. It is a really cute young adult story. This is a well written story that continues to delight all of the way through.
I find that the characters are solid. They feel like actual people as you get caught up in their adventure.
She has changed the cover, so you will get a nicer cover. Here is where you get the Kindle edition and the Paperback!
Today is a bit of a recovery day. I had a birthday girl, she just turned fifteen, on Monday. Which we spent in the ER because she caught a stomach bug. So I am worn out.
I find myself glad that I have less responsibility right now than usual. I was not chosen to create for the spring issue of Creatives Rising. And the editor apologized because she wanted to include everyone, but so many applied… So she was forced to choose. I think that I will let you in on a secret. I was relieved. The topics offered did not truly speak to me. This time of year is harder for me to create. I end up wanting to hibernate. I force the creation but it is a struggle. So I was grateful to not have been chosen. I applied because I love the E-zine. I will be letting you guys know when it is coming out, I asked the editors to include me in the cover announcement so I could share with you. I have a reserved spot in the summer issue. It works wonderfully for me.
This week Thursday will be a review of my friend Deedra’s young adult novel. I do hope that you will check back here to see that. Next Tuesday I have another guest scheduled.
This week I have to settle down and focus on Serena’s second zombie novel. It is at 13k. Goal is to get it to 60k and to the editor by my birthday (march 13).
Friday, this week, is going to be me posting a dozen poetry prompts. I hope that you will be willing to share your poetry with me.
Inner gremlins. A term we have all used or heard referred to in your life. Whether from the Bible, and the story about Doubting Thomas, or in your life, self-doubt is a common theme in the current world. Doubt doesn’t relate to authors only. Insecurities can even impact more areas of your life if you don’t go below the surface and dig up the root of the problem.
Imposter Syndrome Let’s get one thing straight, right off the top. Imposter syndrome only lives inside your head. A seed of doubt is nasty, planted in your brain because of past failure in your life. It can take root because you are trying something new which hasn’t exceeded your own expectations yet. You are not doing yourself any favours if you feed this seed. This seed of doubt is a parasite, and it doesn’t grow with water and soil. The seed of doubt gains its nourishment from a person’s fears and negative energy. The more you feed the seed, the harder it is to break free from its grasp.
You are not a fraud. Read this line out loud as many times as you need to. You are a unique individual who can absolutely do anything. As a disclaimer, I will strongly suggest that we colour between the lines here, and keep our dreams within the laws, and within the realm of possibility. Creatively, take those dreams and stretch them beyond what you thought was possible, and push a little farther to see what you can do.
You can do anything! Realistically, anything you want to do, especially if you are pushing your boundaries, will test your limits. Plans will not always work the way you dream them. Consistency and persistence are how to keep progressing. Jump a little to the left occasionally. Diversions make skipping back onto the right sublime. The more you trust in what you want as an outcome, the better it feels when you arrive at the destination.
Failure is not the end. As a jewellery designer, this is so important to remember. I have learned on my own that not every design works how I imagine them. I am half Scottish and half French. This provides me with an interesting background to bring to the creative table. It means I want the very finest of everything, but I wish to spend next to nothing to get the best of it all. This applies to my creativity. I prefer my jewellery to look picture perfect and waste no supplies while creating that a new piece of Bling. The result doesn’t always work out as I design. When it does, I am thrilled. When it doesn’t, I have to adapt the plan to try again. If I gave up, the potential would evaporate.
Deal with Trolls Bullies think they can hide within their anonymity on the internet, to harass people. I treat each encounter as they arise. I give one warning. If they are not heeding of it, I block them. I no longer have time or energy to feed their inner demons while conquering my own gremlins. I am focusing too much on my progress and growth to dance with someone else’s insecurities. When you break it down, bullies are cowards who are hiding behind their own insecurities, trying to bring others down to their own level. Misery loves company. I prefer the company of my friends.
Choose your path wisely. If you stray from the path, it is okay. Remember, when you carve in a different direction, cross your own main pathway every so often. This helps you to maintain your focus to the bigger goal. Small goals are important, but they are especially impactful if they can combine them all for a larger one.
In summary, everyone has dealt with self-doubt, no matter what name is referenced. It can be a crippling parasite if you feed it. The good news is that you can overpower and even eradicate it when you decide to. It really is up to you. You determine who to listen to, who you surround yourself with, and how you react to failure and negativity. There is only one expert in your life on you, and it isn’t anyone else. Be you. Shine and laugh. Be the person you know you are rather than the person you fear you aren’t.
About our guest.
Tish Mac Webber’s writing is her purpose, creativity is her passion, and jewellery designing is her pleasure.
She is the author who is Always Thinking… the jewellery designer who is Always Blinging…and her superpower is always being full of surprises!
#Tishspiration, her latest creation, is defined as the art of surprising yourself. She is inspired by the ocean, especially where the Atlantic Ocean kisses the beaches of Cape Breton Island, where her own story began.
Tish MacWebber, Always Blinging… her jewellery designing business is the latest addition to her website. Her specialty is creating one of a kind, custom designs for her clients. She loves to delight her customers with her interpretations of what they order, staying true to her gifts of being full of surprises, and putting her talents to full use.
In October 2018, her first book, From Where I am Sitting… A Collection of Cat Tales was published and is available on Amazon. It will be accompanied by her Limited Cat Tales Jewellery Collection, which will debut on her website in 2019. Tish MacWebber is currently writing her second book, where she will explore her concept of #Tishspiration. She is currently working as a freelance writer for hire. You can find more information about these and other projects at Tish MacWebber
I am so glad I was able to schedule ahead. I am currently enjoying a family game time… To celebrate fifteen years with my wonderful daughter!
So I think that there are a dozen “character development” sheets available on the web. As writers we all have them. We all look for new ways to put the characters together and not end up with crap.
The best way I know of is to decide what your story is about. The core of it. Then you “interview ” your character. Ask questions based upon the plot. You should already know the basic stuff. You need to ask about why they are in your story. What is their role? What does the story mean to them? How does the course of the story affect them? While yes you can look into the character, learning about their favorite music, books, and such… Unless you know the reason why they are in your story it will be fluff and not help you write.
You should understand how they are interacting within the story. With other characters, with the environment, and then with themselves. Is the character self-destructive? Why? You should always know the why of any behavior you give the character. The basic psychology behind their behavior.
Now that sounds scary… I know. Still cause and effect gives you a lot of details. And while the reader may not always see what caused the character to behave like they are, you should.
So I will give you an example. In Serena’s Rust, Gore, and the Junkyard Zombie… Chris is the sort to try to do everything by himself, and tries to be seen as an upstanding citizen. Now we do learn why in the story if we pay attention. His father was the town drunk and his mother raised him and his sisters by herself. Chris grew up basically as the man of his house and bullied by townsfolk because of his father. People who have that background can show it in multiple ways. Chris showed that he could be better than his father, but did not trust others to help him.
So what is the why for your character? And how does it fit in your story?
Today I think I will talk about connection and the simple joy of it. We make a thousand connections every day, whether or not we realize it. We affect others by what we say, what we do. I took notice of two such moments today (this is being written on Tuesday… Lol). It made me think. I have always wondered about how people see me, what they see in me to be exact.
Now, that is not me looking for the pat on the head. I honestly think that I am not seeing in myself what everyone else does. It makes me feel like a superstar when I have those connections.
Lately I’ve seen more of those. I am finding my tribe. People who are so much similar to me that I feel them vibrate. People who I know that I can trust absolutely. And it feels amazing.
My tribe sees me, sees the lingering insanity that I barely contain. They trust me, and I have felt their love.
That is my biggest wish for each of you… That someday you’ll find your tribe.
So… I was wondering…. Are you a subscriber? The newsletter goes out again Friday! If not… Then go here.
Also… Next week I will have a guest blogger as one of my amazing writer friends asked if she could address y’all. Want to read her book? It’s a really awesome read. She has an energy in her writing that is infectious. You can find her book here.
I think that I will be posting her guest spot on Tuesday. Monday I do not know if be posting a blog entry. It is the day I was blessed fifteen years ago with my Angel. If I can get it up and scheduled before Saturday then I will, but if I cannot then it will be missing. This is just a heads up in case I flounder at all of this.
If this first guest goes well I may be seeing if I can find other amazing authors to come on here to chat with you. 😊 Please do go and check out Tish’s book and show her curtesy when she is here.
I think that I am in a chatty mood. Tea parties are for chatting, right? Today I want to talk hobbies. What are some of yours, and do you think that a person can have too many? I honestly pick up a new one each year. I have writing, which is no longer a hobby but more of an occupation now. I have drawing and digital art. I have painting, both acrylic and recently obtained water colors. (I am still not certain how I feel about water colors). I have jewelry design and crafting. (I make some really adorable earrings.) I have resin crafting. I crochet, though badly. I am about to add bath bomb making as well. (It was my daughter’s birthday request. She wants to have a craft we can do together and she is interested in bath bombs.) Of course I have reading, but I really don’t see that as a hobby. I have gaming, both video games and tabletop. I run a biweekly game in D20 style. I have been running games since third edition D&D came out. Currently I run a mish mash of pathfinder and 3.5. I looked into fourth edition and yeah… It’s not for me. I have been looking at fifth. I’m not really impressed. I would love to hear your opinion.
I have been considering adding soap and candlemaking to my activities. I think it would be fun. I took a class 20 years ago in candlemaking. The teacher made it over complex. I remember that I enjoyed it though. I think that the new melt and pour soap bases and the inexpensive soy wax options make both activities easier for me to access. Now I just need to convince my boyfriend that I don’t have too many hobbies… Hmm he may be right though. What is your opinion? Is it possible to do too many crafts? I really want you to tell me about your hobbies, where is your passions?
So I normally do Monday poetry… But I didn’t feel it this week. This week I wanted to be absolutely all over the place… Chat about phone wallpaper and fun nonsense. To be honest I have been needing a lighter tone the last few days. My mind has been in some weird places… New story ideas for Serena and she still has to finish the one she is working on. This week will be both of us settling in to write, and it scares me. I have been running away from the computer and writing since thanksgiving, letting the inner voice get to me. Poetry has happened. Poetry always will. It does not scare me as bad. I know that I have skill and talent there. The demons that eat at the mind there were slain a long time ago. The demons attached to the stories and the art… They still claw at the tender bits in the back of my mind.
See every artist, no matter what their medium is, faces those demons. That wee bit of our inner soul that tells us that we are not worthy. That we will never be enough. Some, like Vincent Van Gogh, fight with the demons and lose. Not because they were not amazing, but because the demons are strong. The call to art, to create, is unbearable. But not all create on the same level. I am no Van Gogh. But I sit and question if it matters? Can I create and just be Patricia Harris? Is that enough? Well I have decided that with my poetry, it is. Now I have to get to that point with each medium I use. Serena’s macabre tales, my own children’s stories, acrylic paints, resin and jewelry art, watercolor paints, digital art, and even simple pencil drawing. I seem to have an endless imagination. Just not the confidence to back it up.
And look at this… I was supposed to chat about lighter topics. I have two phones… One that is active and one that I use as a tablet… I change my wallpaper on both about once a month. How often do you change your background on your devices? Care to share your background? Here are mine.
I considered sharing my lockscreens, but as both devices are my grandsons pictures (2 boys, 2 devices) I don’t think I will. Though I am proud of both I limit who I share my boys with because of the bad people in the world. I share that with people I trust.
So, what are your demons about? And do you want to share your wallpaper?
Pattimouse 