Still here... working on things....

I'm thick in edits. And family. And hubby's new business. But I'm still here, plugging away. With new ideas and great directions for old stories. It's a great life to be a writer.

Seeing things through the eyes of Time

I used to think I was this amazing writer. Back when I had first started. You know, when the rosy glow colored everything with sparkles and glitter. I think every body thinks that. We aren't objective about it.

It's been more than 4 years since I first sat down to write. and I picked up that first story again. I still love it, but as I read from then, it feels so pretentious. So verbose. So PURPLE!

I was pretty naive about writing. I thought all it took was just putting words on a page and then someone loves it and puts it into a book and then people buy it! And I wasn't even close to being ready.

Now, editing this book, I'm seeing all the rookie mistakes and the things I thought were so beautiful crafted. And some of it really is beautiful writing, but it doesn't go anywhere in the story. It doesn't tell anything about the character or further the story arc or anything really important. And, for the first time, I can really see myself cutting out huge chunks and replacing them with better, more important, pieces.

It's surprising and nice. I'm happily murdering my little darlings and leaving them on the editing room floor. (Which, by the way, happens to be the rug in the living room, but we digress.)

So to all of you who are like me, take some time away from that book and let yourself grow in your writing. you'll be surprised what you see when you come back to it.

LDS Writer blogfest

If you've followed the blog for a while, you might know that one of the constants around here each spring is the LDS Writers Blogfest. Four years ago Krista Van Dolzer kicked off the first blogfest, joined by many LDS writers around the blogosphere. It's a great opportunity to talk about LDS beliefs and how that impacts our lives as writers.

For me, being LDS (a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is the primary aspect of my life and everything else I do is impacted by it. My family has been LDS for generations. It shapes my choices and what I want out of life. As I've become a writer, I have seen how that informs what I write and why I write it.

One of our scriptures in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:25, says: "Men are, that they might have joy." This is something that has always struck me as important. I've always been a happy-endings sort of person. When I write, it's rarely something dark and gritty. There are twists, yes, but it's going to be something light, often humorous, with a happily ever after. As a "Mormon", I've grown up with the idea that life is a happy thing.

Even the start of my writing career is surrounded by that idea of finding joy in life. I have a real tendency toward post-partum depression. It's been a really difficult thing for someone who wants to be happy to find themselves buried in depression from time to time. I was starting down the black hole of sadness shortly after my 2nd son was born. I was up late at night and feeling unfilled by my life. (Not that I didn't have great things, but, you know. Depression.) At the suggestion of my husband, I started to write my first book. It was amazing how much that lifted my spirits! I was doing something creative, something that had always been a secret goal of mine. I loved the outlet and the feeling of accomplishment. It was amazing to write the last word and look back at this amazing thing that I had just done. And it still feels that way when I write.

 We live in a world of darkness. Horrible things keep happening. We have school shootings and natural disasters and crime sprees and economic downturns and all kinds of things that constantly weigh on us. We could be bogged down in all of it. But we don't have to be. Our current prophet, Thomas S. Monson, spoke in a General Conference of the church in 2009. He said, "Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us."

Even though writing is a source of great comfort and joy to me, the teachings of the LDS Church give me hope and peace and a feeling of love for God and those around me. I've learned that even when things are dark, I can feel joy because of the trust I have gained in Jesus Christ.

Many other bloggers are participating in the blogfest today. Hop around to their posts and see what they have to say. If you would like to participate, it's not too late to sign up! Just add your name and link to the list below. And if you have any questions about the LDS church, what we believe, or how I feel about either of those things, feel free to ask.

New Words! New Words, I tell you!

I've written new words. I've deleted a lot of old words, but I've written new ones to replace them. It's grand and exciting.

I pulled out the first story I ever finished. All 40,000 words of it. And I still love the idea. So, I'm looking at it again. and writing new words! I didn't think I would get around to writing anything at all this year, taking a break until baby girl is a bit bigger, but I'm getting back into it. And it really does feel great. New ideas to expand the story and improve it. (Thanks to new writing friends.)

Also, I've joined ANWA--American Night Writers Association. I'll be heading up a new chapter, here in my little southern Utah town. It's exciting to be finding new people to work with and write with. Okay. I'm saying exciting a lot. But, I guess it's just because everything is exciting!

So, stay tuned. I'm still planning to read a lot, but I'm also going to be writing! Yay!

Announcement: LDS Writer Blogfest coming soon!

Well, it's that time of year. (Actually, a little late, but better late than never.) For the past three years, Krista van Dolzer and I have hosted the LDS Writer Blogfest. It's a great time where LDS writers can connect and share the things they have in common. This year, things have been a little busier for Krista, as she just announced a book deal and has been involved in the Writer's Voice and several other contests on her blog. In talking about it, we decided to push it back a month and let anyone doing the A to Z challenge or participating in the various blogs contests and conferences finish up April.

So, here it is! The blogfest will be on May 20. That's 3 weeks away. Sign up on the linky below or email me at kayejazz(at)gmail(dot)com with an indicator that you want to participate. You can talk about how being LDs effects your writing, what you believe as a Mormon, or anything else you can think of. We'll send out reminders if you leave an email in the comments. And if you want to spread the word, grab the button! (*I'm trying to get the blog button working. I can send you the html code if you want it before I get the grab box working.)

This whole Bloglovin' thing

I read blogs almost exclusively with google reader. At least I did. Until they announced that google is getting rid of reader in July. So, I'm going to try out Bloglovin'. I hope it goes well.
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A little giveaway from my friend, Aurora Smth

One of my fabulous blogging friends is hosting a contest on her blog. She's giving away a copy of her book, MY STUPID GIRL. It's the next book on my TBR list and I'll have a review of it for you here soon. In the meantime, check out her blog. She's a pretty cool gal.