Dangerous Wands

Don't say I never gave you anything for Christmas. This parody of "Dangerous Minds" and Harry Potter is hysterical.
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1925557

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Ghost Stories

I'm talking about the Victorian tradition of ghost stories at Christmas over at Children of the Night http://childrenofthenightya.blogspot.com/ Come put a little spooky in your stocking!

Happy Solstice!

My family and I are Wiccan, and one Wiccan tradition for winter solstice is to stay up all night telling stories while the Yule log burns as a way of passing the longest night of the year in the light of community. So, I'm hoping that the stories are flowing freely for all of you tonight. I think that, as folks who love to write and read fantasy and science fiction we have a special understanding of the battle and balance between light and dark, so blessed Solstice to you!

Writing from the heart.

I fell into the creative void. Creative void, you know, the place where all artists go there at some point in their career. Or perhaps it is place where an artist visits over and over again. It feels like a vacuum where nothing – I do mean nothing can get in or out. As I began searching, asking myself, “what is going on?” I realized - I have a great process down: outlines, index cards, treatments, character sketches BUT is there point where writing efficiently can hamper creativity?

Yes.

OK? Now what?

Take a time out, do something different. Go to bed. (I usually stay up.)

A thought occurred to me this morning: I was trying too hard to be organized. I was micromanaging my world. I had to loosen up a bit. Allow myself to play in the world to maybe write other shorter stories in the world. Follow my heart a bit more….

I noticed,

I write better, when I write from the heart. I make less mistakes. There is passion and energy behind my words.

Whatever your process is honor it.
However, if you should fall into the void, try something different to jump-start your creativity.

The Wide World of Goal Setting

The other day I made the most useful spreadsheet, this magical sheet contains every single writing contest and magazine deadline I am interested in. Whereas, I may not enter every contest, however as I finish stories, I have a plan on where I want to send them.

A great of setting goals with out the pressure.

Yummm....

I'm posting about the connection between tofurky and vampires over at Children of the Night. Put down that drumstick and stop by!
http://childrenofthenightya.blogspot.com/2009/11/tofurkyvampire-connection.html

Happy Tofurky Day!

Happy Thanksgiving, Death Pixie people! Your support, your thoughtful critique and your wonderful sense of fun are all on my list of things to be thankful for!

I'm wondering how everyone is coping with finding time to write over the busy holidays. I know that I myself am struggling already, and the winter holidays are just beginning! Are you able to make a date with yourself, in between the festivities? Or do you give yourself a vacation and relax your expectations?