What happened in 2025?

 We are almost to the finish line of 2025. What started out as a year of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, became for me: racial attacks in the form of hate speech, job change, closed door, closed door, closed door, more hate speech. 

I took a trip to Ojai, a beautiful part of Southern California and had a much needed day of rest. While on my way back home, I met a Godly couple who prayed over me. Doors I thought would have opened for my writing in LA, remained shut. I prayed and was in agreement as to why. Yet my heart was heavy and needed clarity. 

I've gone back to revising a novel that almost sold. As I work on the revisions, I'm finally allowing myself to let it be the novel it always needed to be. 

Faith in Christ is my identity. And in this novel, if you look really hard you can see glimpses of Christianity in the previous version. The one that almost sold! I need to be true to myself and my writer voice. I've always wanted to write an action-filled, faith-based, YA scifi novel. What couldn't have happened until 2025, is a full, no holding back, revision to this novel. My character struggles to understand faith that is not hers, yet it's the one thing she needs to survive what is to come. 

In revising this novel, I have allowed myself to let go and write, trusting God with the outcome. This novel is finally becoming what it was supposed to. 

There are two months left in this year. My goal is to have the revisions completed by December thirty first.  I wish I could say edits would be done as well, but I'm already pushing three hundred and sixty pages on the draft alone. 

I'm enjoying this process. I'm having fun revising, adding lines, adding scenes, cutting dialogue that doesn't ring true to my character. Pausing and reflecting on her and what is happening to her and her friends. Using the writing voice God created me with.

Before the year is out, I urge you to take time away. It could be as simple as a drive an hour outside of town. Take that time. Pray. Reflect. Act. And if you are a writer, write!

Where Have I Been

Writing duh!
Seriously, I have been writing my tail feathers off. I think in the past week I've had only fifteen minutes of independent thought time per day. I don't mind, I just know I'm getting cranky from job stress and writing deadlines.
I'm still trying to balance working full time and being a mom and a writer.

Last week brought me some milestones. I submitted my spec script for a sitcom to a very prestigious writing fellowship. I also mailed my application for a Christian screenwriting training program. Those deadlines were met. My prayer is that God will provide the funds to participate and the living expenses.

I finished my second novel last week. Now it has to do the-sit and not look at me-wait. That helps a writer do a better job of editing. My third novel is 25% complete and there it will stay for now until I look at my calendar for the next three months and plan out my writing goals.

At this time I am sitting at my kitchen table, having just put the baking potatoes in the oven to cook. I am looking at upcoming screenplay contests, and other writing fellowships, as well as preparing to view The Academy Awards tonight.
I'm so excited, even though I didn't write, or star in any of the films (as of yet).
My favorite categories are Best Screenplay, Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Costume design.

Next week, wait no that's this week. Forgot what day it was, yeah I need a vacation.
This week I will be finishing my final edit on my Christian Horror Screenplay. Yes, you read that correctly, no it isn't a typo. It is possible and I have addressed that already.
After editing it, I will be uploading it to WGA, then submitting it to a very prestigious screenwriting fellowship competition, as well as competitions without a fellowship.

How is Frankenstein laptop you ask? We'll I'm typing on him right now. Ten minutes to fully boot up, still freezes, playing havoc with my Movie Magic Screenwriter program. Other than that he's holding strong. Lucky for him I'm too strapped for cash right now to go out an buy another one.

How's it going

I need to be random for a moment. I was all set to sit down with my coffee at my favorite coffee going place when I was thrown for a loop. I spend my weekday mornings writing at this place before heading to work. I love it because the table height is perfect for writing, it's not over crowded with noisy people who don't know how to use their inside voice, forcing me to crank my iPod up to dangerous levels to drown them out, and the employees are great. It only took them two weeks to figure out my usual order.

So why was I thrown for a loop? I'm now used to having my coffee and donut (gave away the name didn't I) ready for me by the time I reach the counter, without my even asking.
Today my two usual cashiers were not in. I had to actually order. I miss seeing and talking to them.
And it's nice that with the volume of people that come through every morning they pay attention. Unlike another establishment I went to daily for two months and every day I ordered the same coffee (no donuts there), but they never caught on like this place does. Okay I think I'm done.

6 days into the new year. How's that new diet coming? That commitment to write more? Are you struggling? Good.
Now let's get serious.
I've heard it said it takes 21 days to form a habit. I say 21 days won't make any difference if you don't have two things: a goal and a plan.
Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in Him, and He will act,
What is your passion? What is your dream? Have you written it down, and prayed about it. God opens doors through our prayer and our
obedience. Obedience to follow His plan for our life. So listen to Him and write it down.

Step two, the plan. What plan have you drawn out to help you reach your goal?
Haven't done it yet? That's okay. Sit down in a quiet place away from the TV, the computer, and the phone.
Talk to God. Never done that before? That's okay too. He's ready to listen. Talk with God about your plan and ask Him to help you create one based on His desires. Then write it down.
Keep it somewhere close so you can refer to it when you feel doubt and discouragement creeping in.

I know friends who also get together with another person and tell them their goals as a way of holding themselves accountable. That's good too, but I've come to find the best person to tell my goal to is Jesus. He helps me be accountable.
When it comes to your dreams and desires, don't put them off any longer.