I delve deeply today into what "failure" means - and also "success" - and why I feel we shouldn't regard failing with fear or dread. Also deciding when to reveal a secret to the reader, as opposed to when I know it, or when the characters know it. 

The correct quote I paraphrased is: "Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal." Earl Nightingale

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Thoughts on choosing an agent, especially as regards creative choices. Also choosing which ideas are good ones, whether inspiration & opportunity hang around, and visiting with a sorority sister. 

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Reflecting a bit on reviews and how fandom communities work. Also cat wrangling and saving of bluebirds. How I'm loving Grace Draven's DRAGON UNLEASHED, and a bit about kayaks!

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Recognizing the difference between finished work and early drafts, perceived time while writing vs reading time and how that affects pace, and being in the world but not of the world. That is: what to do when you get knocked off your pillow.

The blog post I reference is here. https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2019/10/09/writing-beginnings-again-and-again/

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I'm keeping it short today because it's been a chaotic morning and I'm almost out of minutes for the month! Talking about struggling with this draft, having faith, talking heads - and a vote on dream interpretation!

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Thoughts today on fixating on minor chores, preparing to travel, and working through solidifying Act 1 of this book. On my fourth opening and counting!

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Talking today about the five-stage cycle of creation, how we're better at some phases than others, and how this plays out in our lives, including writing books. Beginnings - especially finding the right place to start a story - can be difficult. For others, it's the middle, or the end. Also a bit about how rising to challenges can be done with Delight & Gladness, too. 

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Talking today about funding the creative life - what's real and what is the fairy tale. Also, of course, cats and New Mexico weather. 

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We're back with the (much quieter!) commute to Writer Coffee. Musings along the way on writing as far as the headlights illuminate, how the mass mind works, and controlling what you can in the publishing business. 

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Shout out to L. Penelope and Jessie Mihalik on the release of WHISPERS OF SHADOW AND FLAME and AURORA BLAZING. Today is also the 50th anniversary of a sadder event in my family - but that led to talk of my Grandmother, romance novels and finding true love again. Also, Poldark.

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