Scarlets Sanctum: February 2013

So I've decided I really, I mean really, need to do a blog post. If I don't, an entire year will have snuck by without having done one and that's just... unacceptable... in a lot of peoples eyes. Not really so much mine, but that's okay, I am just not a regular blogger.

I just don't have much to blog about on a regular, be it weekly or monthly, basis. It's better that I spend that time writing, revising or editing. Nor do I think I have the know-how to share about writing and all it entails. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact that when it comes to writing I'm really more of a toddler, in reference, than most of my writer friends, who I would consider to be more in the adolescence or adult stage of writing. I do not have writerly wisdom that pours from my mouth like a cherry Slurpee from on tap at 7-11 every time I open it. (Though wouldn't it be nice?)

But I have decided I do need to update my blog if for no other reason then to show I am back into the writing game. Maybe some of you think because I seem all willy-nilly in and out of this that I don't take it seriously? I don't feel that's the case but everyone is certainly entitled to their own opinion. I know every ones lives are busy. People have families, jobs, homes to keep up and still some how a portion of them manage to pound out and perfect a new MS every year (maybe more) - that is AWESOME! Kudos and cake for them. But I am not them. (This is how I imagine they work.)

I am a very slow plotter, outliner, reviser, editor... and I suspect, and hope, that that will get better with time and experience. I know a part of that is that I am a perfectionist, and I'm learning to deal with it. And according to Laini Taylor , who suffers from the same affliction, I will probably deal with it for the rest of my life. (She's brilliant by the way, if you're not following her you probably should.) Her blog post this week My Brain is a Jerk: a blog post about writing with (and in spite) of perfectionism was beyond helpful for me.

But that's not why I've been scarce to the writing game for the last year. A large part of my absence is due to the new addition in our family. We had our 2nd child. But you say, "Tracy, people squeeze out kids every year and they still manage to write without fail." That's nice, but that's not me. I truly enjoy writing. Its something I do for myself, when I have time. And then you say, "If you want it bad enough, you'll make time." You're right. And I do, I try to make time daily, but my children are only going to be this age once. And I'm always - always, a wife and mom first. I'm not on a schedule to start my querying in "x" amount of months. I'm enjoying my writing. Taking my time to learn, and exercising my control with this disease of perfectionism. And as my children grow older I will have more time for myself.

You have no idea how far my perfecionism reaches

Also, with out getting all weepy, this last pregnancy was an emotional roller coaster. It drained me emotionally, physically, mentally. Which deeply impacted my ability to focus. I won't go into detail because I don't want to bum you out. You don't come here for that - you don't. If there's anyone here at all... "Hello?" *echoes bounce off blog walls* Besides all is well now. That is the past. I'm fine, my heifer of a son is fine, fat and happy and that is ALL that matters.

So without further adieu- I am back.*Happy Dance*

And I'd like to give big shout-out-Thank-Yous to my very dear friends Jani Grey and Ladonna Watkins who checked on me without fail this last year and kept encouraging me to get back into my writing. They're pretty wonderful Ladies as well as writers so if you're not following them... well you know where I'm going with this. And here are a few more great people you should check out as well: Juliana Haygert, Melissa Hurst, Leah Rae Miller and Jenny Kaczorowski. There are many others if you need a list feel free to check out my Ladies who Critique list on my twitter account.

And oh, here is my bit of helpful writing advice courtesy of those more experienced than myself.