You Must Be an Artist

“An artist is someone who can hold two opposing viewpoints and still remain fully functional.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

I don’t find artists to be more or less human than anyone else who answers the call, but I do appreciate this quote. As a writer, it’s required for me to shift to and fro from protagonist to antagonist. While shifting, I do want my characters to feel real. So I create them to have viewpoints that make sense and feel human.

How do you feel when switching from your protagonist’s point of view to your antagonist’s point of view? Do you hold similar viewpoints in both?

Today’s a Good Day for Poetry

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.” – Maya Angelou

You Are Worthy

You’re a mouth
a sound that moves me
from silence

You’re a foot
a step that moves me
Forward

You’re a body
a space that reminds me
to stand

-Saschia

Write it Out

I must write it all out, at any cost. Writing is thinking. It is more than living, for it is being conscious of living.” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

I want to feel all the feels and be fully aware of all of my emotions. I want to learn from my mistakes and do better in the future. Writing helps me work through all of that. It’s not just the act of writing. It’s the entire process. The retelling, getting into the heads of other characters, figuring out the little details; all that helps with processing different situations. But I think the part that a lot of people overlook is the part where we get to share our work with others. We can share how we relate, or how we don’t relate at all. We can learn that we’re not alone or even gain a new perspective on the world around us. We don’t have to share our most private secrets, but when we’re ready to share in a place we feel is safe, it really adds to the experience.

How do you feel about sharing your work? Is blogging different for you than sharing in person?

Now I’m Ready.

I did it. I wrote. I finished short stories. I wrote poetic prose. Some shitty stuff. Some stuff I’m proud of. I got paid for my writing. I finished a novel. I was included in an anthology. I sat in writers workshops with IV leaguers and successful authors. I took a dozen college courses.

I have more successful monthly views than someone who’s considered a “professional.”

Say it with me…

I am a good writer. I am good at writing and communicating in a way to get people to listen. My editing skills are fantastic. My confidence as a writer grows more and more everyday and so does my ability to say, you will respect my craft.

This is no one’s dream to give me. I worked my ass off to be the writer I am today and I will continue to write because that’s the only way I know how to navigate the world. When there’s nothing left for me to do, writing it is. Or sleep but this post isn’t about sleep.

I’ve fought long enough to find my backbone as a writer. Now I’m ready.

We’ve Made it This Far

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Don’t let fear keep you from starting. We all have our silly little fears and big monstrous fears. But they don’t need to keep us from our greatness. We have made it this far. We have survived against all odds. Fear has its place, but its place isn’t meant to keep you from living your best life. Today, I decided I would do my best to live my best life in small ways. It really changed my outlook on the day.

How was your day?

Who’s Your Current favorite Author

What art offers is space – a certain breathing room for the spirit. -John Updike

Someone I was talking to today told me they loved John Updike. They mentioned a book he wrote titled, “Rabbit Run.” I have not read that book yet. I’m not sure if I have read anything by him yet but I’d like to see what all the rave was about.

Tell me about your favorite author.

My current favorite author is Chuck Wendig, but I’ve had so many favorite authors. I’m surprised that this is where I’ve been led. Surprise or not, I’m happy to be here.

Good Night

What do you do to get ready for bed? I love my bedtime ritual. I enjoy knowing what is coming next and when it’s time. I used to have tea as part of my bedtime ritual, but not so much anymore. Now my evening consists of writing, journaling, and blogging. If my eyes are still open after I finish those, I read a book until I fall asleep.

Do you have a bed time routine?

It’s Still Summer

Summer is still here. It’s not fall yet, even though I’m excited for fall; it’s still summer. The heat is not for me. You know what’s for me? A car ChapStick unaffected by the weather. A cool breeze with a scarf around my neck. The smell of fresh-made apple cider donuts and a bonfire. I especially like that the next season coming is snow, and the one after that is spring. There’s so much to look forward to in the fall.

What’s your favorite season?

My Novel is Experimental Fiction

There’s a misunderstanding of what experimental fiction really is. Experimental fiction is often confused with Sci-Fi. That is not what it is. Experimental fiction is playing with traditional writing styles and formats. It’s using innovation and creativity to push against the boundaries of traditional storytelling. There are so many ways we learn and absorb the world around us. That is why I think it’s important to express ourselves in a way that invites different styles of learners to the table. Experimental fiction doesn’t have to be this hard genius-only puzzle to crack, (thank you James Joyce for leading the way, I’ll take it from here). It can be something digestible and easy to understand, all while still pushing traditional storytelling boundaries.

I think there’s no time better than the present to start pushing those boundaries.

As a writer, what’s your go-to genre? Or do you prefer not to limit yourself?

Inner Peace

“Self-acceptance brings a sense of inner peace and contentment. Individuals who accept themselves are less likely to be plagued by self-doubt and more likely to experience a sense of harmony and balance in their lives.” -Chat GPT

Peace is one of my favorite fruits of the spirit. I really appreciate peace and harmony. There was a time when I’d use anxiety to thrive. I’d get my stress levels up to get things done. Now that I see how much that takes a toll on my body, I do whatever I can to keep my stress levels down. At the same time, some situations require me to face stress in order to get to a peaceful place. Facing short-term stressors for long-term peace is always better. When I say short-term stressors, I mean things that may be uncomfortable, like setting boundaries or standing up for things you value in a room full of people who you think would never understand.