My December Challenge: Day 1

Yes, I realize we are already a few days in December. I guess I will just have to write through the New Year. While I did not write as many words as I would have liked(migraine headaches are the worst) I did manage on developing more of the characters I foresee coming into play. What an adrenaline rush! What started out as a simple fantasy fiction will develop into so much more. I have always been a free writer...this has been a major strength in my writing; the ability to right logically from one scenario to the next without an outline has been a major asset. However, now that I am working so many more characters and scenes into my story it will be vital to keep it all organized. So it looks as if I will have to bite the bullet, so to speak, and develop the outline. Still, I have decided to follow the advice of another writer and give myself permission to veer off the outline trail if the story or my characters deem it necessary. The plot of my book: A young woman finds herself in a place of doubt and self discovery when she finds out that she is the descendant of a long line of Clairsentient Vampires.

Inspiration in a Big City

Having been born and raised in the Bronx I was well aware of the hustle and bustle that would surround my Thanksgiving Holiday. However, I think it's important as a writer to change sceneries every once in a while...to take in new and exciting environments conducive to sparking a creative flow. I love nature and to be in it as it is a great inspiration to me and my writing. It's in a sense...hypnotic. Yet, I found my trip to the Big City to be equally inspiring. Perhaps it's the sparkling of the city lights or the fact that there is so much artistic talent in one place but regardless all I could think of while walking the city blocks was, "I can't wait to get back to my laptop to write". I am obviously an expressive person but what I am unable to convey with words I do with pictures. Good or bad shots you can guarantee I will have some kind of camera on me prepared to keepsake a lifetime of memories. An additional benefit is there is sometimes no need to add lyrics to a song...a picture often can speak for itself.

Key to Avoiding Hectic Holidays!

1. Buy what your children need when they need it. Nothing a kid considers more boring than receiving socks for Christmas.

2. Buy special gifts for your friends/family all year long when DESERVED. No need to wait for this one time of year to pile it all on.

3. Do not try to buy anyone's love with gifts. Most of the time he/she rather have your time.

4. Buy gifts that promote quality time. There are plenty of Xbox games you can play together.

5. Instead of buying gifts for Christmas consider buying only one or two gifts and spending the rest of that money on a vacation.

6. Nothing teaches us about the spirit of Christmas more than serving. Even if you do not have children serving others can bring a special joy within that far out values gifts you buy in a store.

7. Buy gifts online. Nowadays online deals equal that of Black Fridays and No Lines. If you must go out this day spend it at the movies with friends/family.

8. Group Shop! Yes, if you insist on Black Friday Shopping you might as well do it together and make the most out of it. Besides, you have more resources this way.

9. Let's not forget the spirit of the holidays. Avoid confrontations and unnecessary bickering in stores. Nothing is worth breaking your holiday spirit.

10. Take a moment and reflect on why you or your family celebrate the holidays. Is it a fat jolly man in a suit or does it have a faith connection? Either way, its always a good idea to reflect on our actions and reasonings in doing what we do not just on certain occasions but on a daily basis.

The Written Word

Ever wonder why people are addicted to social media websites and blogging? Sure, one of the reasons is because we're naturally curious creatures who have an appetite for secrets and gossip but its also because, for most people, writing down thoughts provide a sense of relief and expression. I remember in my very first literature class my professor had us keep journals. I honestly could not see the sense of it at the time but now I understand only to clearly. The fact is it is very therapeutic. There are things some of us want to say that have been buried down deep in our hearts but it has been hard to vocalize; either we're afraid of the reaction others will have to our words or perhaps it forces us to seek a resolution we are not prepared for. Self expression can be scary...we open ourselves up to all sorts of rejections and/or criticisms and it can have a devastating impact on us. Now that does not mean there will be less rejection/criticism with the written word but it can lesson the blow. There are even many thoughts that are perfectly okay to write down without sharing (I.e. diary/journal). Still there are times when we need to say things to people directly and we have the right to do so. Now that does not mean we should get on Facebook and tell Lisa off on her wall or profess our love to that friend we can not stop thinking about (some things should obviously be said/ or written in a one-on-one conversation) but there's nothing wrong with writing on your sibling's wall to say "I love you" or telling your bud or BFF how much you appreciate them (so long as you know the other person would be cool with it)... Not everyone does good with public displays of affection. Even when we are consumed with negative emotions such as anger or jealousy, writing out our feelings in a journal can be very soothing. I have heard where people write out frustrated emails to their employers without sending it. I would not recommend this method only because an accidental slip can be bad...really really bad. Still, there's no harm in writing a letter. So, the next time you have something on your mind and you have a need to release those thoughts consider writing them in a journal and see if it provides you with all the release you need.

Getting past Writer's Block

Have you ever stood there watching the white abyss of your computer screen for hours? You keep telling yourself "any moment now" as if expecting a masterpiece to magically appear. How did that work out for you? Yeah, not so hot on my end either. Luckily, this is neither uncommon or permanent. Sometimes our brains and sometimes emotions are holding a bit too much and this can lead to a "burn out". It happens. Whatever you do do not get discouraged and for no reason whatsoever are you to give up. Try taking a walk, listening to your favorite music or even taking a hot bath. Grab a book and begin reading...after all An avid reader makes a great writer. Sometimes the best thing to do is to just write. It makes no difference if your first few paragraphs make absolute no sense. The point is to get your creative juices flowing again and the best way to do that is by just doing it. Luckily, advancements in technology and word processing software have made it easy to delete what you do not like. Now if you are old school and still prefer the notepad and paper method I hope you have a few erasures on hand....whiteout might work too!

Have you ever had Writer's Block? How did you get over it?

Hangin' with Sandy

This past weekend I was invited to a few Halloween parties. While I was actually a gypsy everyone thought I was a pirate. So much for having a distinguished look! Oh well, my only question now is, "where's my ship me matee??" With Sandy making her presence know all over the east coast we might be better off in Noah's Ark anyway. Really though, my area is not as bad as with previous hurricanes but there are friends of mine who are not so lucky. However, all we can all really do is take precautions and hope they are enough. News stations have been doing an awesome job keeping us updated and even President Obama encouraged everyone to follow the instructions of emergency personnel. All we can do at this point is wait for it to pass over with some movies, books, hot chocolate (maybe something stronger if you like) and something munch on. Be safe friends!

A Review of Fifty Shades of Grey

Okay, so I know I was supposed to write this ages ago but being that women (and men) are still discovering the guilty (or not so guilty) pleasures of these books I figured I still had plenty of time to give an overview of my experience.

For starters, this book is definitely not intended for anyone under 17. In fact, my daughter was seventeen at the time I read the series and I still did not want her to read it. Why? Because this book does and WILL arouse your senses. Anyone who knows me knows that one of my main goals for the past 18 years is to try to maintain my daughter's purity for as long as possible. I'm not saying there are not things or circumstances out in the world that will do this. I am only saying there is a difference between placing your tongue on a battery to get a slight charge and putting a plugged iron in a bathtub of water. At this age a girl's hormones are already going rampant and the last thing I want is an overcharge of hormones. I, like many other moms, prefer my children to concentrate on their friends, careers and then eventually meet that special someone. At that point, I would definitely suggest a good read of the Fifty Shades of Grey series. So, if you haven't figured it out already, I give these books a definite 17+( leaning toward 21) Rating!

Now, let's talk about the writing itself. Fifty Shades of Grey is written in 1st person point of view. We go through the experiences of a young woman named Anastasia Steele who may just remind you of another well known female protagonist from the also highly successful Twilight Series by Stephenie Myer. There is, in fact, a reason for this. Fifty Shades was originally written as a fan fiction book which eventually evolved into carrying a life of its own. Now, E.L. James has been criticized for her lack of inspiring writing and while I have to agree her lack of writing experience shows through each paragraph in her overuse of particular phrases and words I find the story compelling enough to make these deficiencies in her writing minimal. Based on the success of these series of books it is fair to assume thousands of others agree with me. Personally, I find it of great encouragement to newbie writers such as myself when readers are willing to bypass the lack of exceptional writing skills for a great story. After all, writing is a skill that is honed over a lifetime of trial and error. I'm afraid to count how many errors I have overlooked in this blog alone! Ugh!

That brings me to what you have all been waiting for: The Story! (SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!)

In the beginning of the story we are introduced to Anastasia Steele. By her own confession Ana is clumsy and her daily routines are anything less than exciting. She is beautiful(although she does not see it) and has little interest in developing a relationship with the opposite sex although there are several members of the opposite sex that show interest in her. That is until she unenthusiastically agrees to conduct an interview on behalf of her very sick best friend, roommate and college paper journalist Kate. Little did Ana know that an interview with the very handsome and arrogant multi-millionaire Christian Grey would be the beginnings of a very sexually filled emotionally draining yet exciting relationship. For the first time in her life Ana finds herself sexually drawn to a man and he is as equally drawn to her...if not more. As is often the case she develops intense emotions for him but because of his childhood he finds it difficult to connect with women in any other way other than in the roles of Dominant(him) and Submissive(her). Christian is well versed in what it takes to be both a dominant and submissive as his first sexual encounter secretly put him in the much older and much more mature handling of one of his adoptive mother's closest friends. What at first appears to be an intense fettish Ana soon realizes that Christian's "no touching" rules and need for control stems back to a very traumatic childhood experience he suffered while with his birth mother. Ana slowly attempts to help Christian open up but understand when he admits he is "Fifty Shades of Fucked up". Ana believes one of the reasons why her "Fifty Shades" is so conflicted is due to the once inappropriate and current friendship he has with Mrs. Robinson. Although Ana loves her "Fifty" deeply she feels she will never be enough to satisfy his controlling and sadistic needs so at one point (after he spanks her to her limit) decides to leave him. Eventually, after an extremely short breakup they reunite only to find she could have avoided the entire conflict with the "safe word". They were both also miserable without each other. As the story continues, Anastasia demands more independence in her work environment which eventually leads to Christian buying the company and Ana having to teach her sleazy Editor a lesson about sexual harassment. As they later find out an unrevealed history explains his resentment and attempt to ruin their lives. Let's also add a love obsessed ex-submissive, the entertaining personalities of additional family and friends and you have all the ingredients needed for a three book series. You did not really think I would tell you EVERYTHING, did you? What fun is that?!?!

The content of the story is very sexually explicit but not tasteless. In fact, there are women around the world whose husbands, boyfriends and partners are grateful for the effect Fifty Shades of Grey have had on their sex life. The very detailed content has either restarted their libidos or heightened their curiosity to the very exciting world of SnM. Christian Grey goes through great effort to teach Ana and explain everything he is going to do to her as he goes along which makes it very enticing for women and if men were smart...a great learning tool. So if you or your partner are not comfortable with sexuality then these may not be the best books for you. However, if you are open to getting a glimpse of SnM through the erotic experience of a fiction character I would say make yourself a hot cup of cocoa, coffee or any beverage of choice, get comfy, grab the book or your Kindle and get to reading!




Have you already read all the books? One or two? What did you think? What other books/authors would you recommend?