Bad Guys

“The best stories don’t come from “good vs. bad” but “good vs. good.” – Leo Tolstoy

I think figuring out the antagonist in my story was the hardest part for me. There’s some people who like to create a clear “bad guy.” Some people make nature the “bad guy.” I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do but after some time writing the novel, I decided that it was best to “avert my eyes” or “shift my energy” from the bad and focus on the actions my character needed to take in order to remedy the problem. The problem was that my character’s family got separated and they were all working in their own way to bring their family back together. That became the priority for my character.

It’s wild how real life is just the same. We don’t need to hyperfocus on the problem; we need to focus on the next steps to take to remedy the situation. It usually starts with seeing the problem. Once we see it, we need to get to work to fix it.

Writing Goals

Do it tired.

I’m all about rest and relaxation, but at the end of the day, it’s time to write. Well, for me it is. Some writers prefer to wake up early every day to write. Morning isn’t when my brain is ready to write. Maybe I just tell myself that, but I can say that before bed has been the most consistent writing time for me. I’m not predictable in the morning. Some mornings I rise and shine, others I’m a zombie, barely conscious of my walk to the shower. Anyways, now I have about 4k blog posts just on WordPress. I think that’s a decent collection of words. I think daily writing goals are important. Others argue against it. I do what works best for me, and that’s writing daily. I’ve learned to do it tired.

What are your writing rituals?

Take Care of Yourself

With the new school year coming back into play, I just wanted to remind you to take care of yourself. If that means going out with friends to decompress, make time for it. If it means staying in with a book and your favorite blanket, silence your phone. There are so many ways to take care of yourself. Every single way matters. Your mind, body, and soul all need attention. Feed them the healthy things they call for. And don’t forget, we are creative beings. Finding a creative outlet connects all three of those things. It gets your mind and soul to talk through your body.

What are a few things you plan to do to take care of yourself?

The Red Dress

Appearance blinds, whereas words reveal.” – Oscar Wilde

Beware of the “woman in the red dress.” In The Matrix, a programmer creates this beautiful woman in a simulation. While in the simulation, the main character, Mr. Anderson, turns to look at her for just one moment. That’s exactly where he’s surprised by a gun to his face. The gun never goes off, but the point is that he always has to be careful. You never know who’s going to turn into your nemesis while you’re attracted by material things. Don’t be swayed by empty appearances. Be swayed by words in line with actions.

Just Finish

The most wise words you’ll hear as a writer are “Just finish.”

Those two words pack a big punch for passionate creators with a million ideas. It’s hard to start. It’s hard to keep going with all the different ways people tell you to stop. And it’s hard to finish. It’s all hard. Writing is hard. But let me just remind you that you are allowed all the amazing ideas that you get, and you are also allowed to finish what you started. Be intentional. Be brave. This whole entire writing experience is yours to embrace and live through. Keep going! Get to the finish line.

Living My Dream

I’m living my dream. Every morning that I wake up, I know for a fact that my dream is already here. I’m a writer. To be more specific; I’m a novelist. I searched out different places to grow. I’ve found writers I’d like to learn from, and I’ve found what it is I want to say (for now). That’s what I want to focus on. I want to focus on doing what I love so that when I wake up in the morning, I know without a doubt that I’m living my dream.

Are you living yours?

I Have a Joseph Campbell Question

“It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.” -Joseph Campbell

“…Where you stumble, there lies the treasure.” How could that be? We all have our own weaknesses. We all stumble at different times and places, but how could there be treasure where we stumble? Is the treasure a chance to learn? Is it a chance to be creative and find a way to flip your weakness into something you can use to propel yourself forward? Or is it a treasure because you are now more experienced than before you stumbled?

I’d love to read this in context to better understand what he’s saying here.

What do you think he’s saying here?

Stephen King Said it Best

Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.” – Stephen King

Write yourself happy! I literally did this. It doesn’t have to be happy, you get options in this life. You can write yourself so many ways. You can write yourself happy, sad, sidewise. You can even write yourself straight down the rabbit hole where anything goes and confusion reigns.

Just write and enjoy the ride.