Bring on 2026 | Get on with it!

What a year! I’ve referred to myself as a Dad-Taxi before, but 2025 hit a new level. I’ve been trying to rekindle/awaken my writing groove for a while now and found some glimmers of success over the past few months. I experienced the magic of early morning writing sessions and found a book, Save the Cat Writes Horror, which generated some breakthroughs on my current WIP. Sometime in the summer of 2025, I also asked myself why? What’s the point in doing this work?

Reminding myself of my why for writing was a really important moment this year and it was twofold. First, because it makes me feel whole. I feel better, like myself, when I’m writing regularly. I also remembered myself as a young adult. I didn’t enjoy reading until I discovered Harry Potter and from there, I became a life-long reader and eventually a writer. I am writing for myself when I was thirteen years old, books that would have inspired a love for reading had I never set foot in Hogwarts with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. So what now? The new year presents a great opportunity for letting go of what hasn’t worked and reimagining what my life as a writer could be based on where I am right now, not where I was a decade ago when my kids were in bed before 8 pm and writing past midnight was the norm. 

So what am I working on? Well, it feels like something old (the first draft was finished in 2012), but based on the changes I’ve made, it is essentially a new project. I can’t give up on it until I have given it my all, and this rewrite will be just that. Wish me luck! I’m focusing on the NOW with this project. The only time that really exists is right now. Goals help us determine which direction to travel, but each step happens on a moment by moment basis. My motto for writing this year is: Get on with it. 

If you are reading this, thank you! I wish you peace during this holiday season and inspiration for the year to come. Live now, not in a past you cannot change, or a future that doesn’t exist yet. Whatever you’ve wanted to do, just get started. Get on with it. 

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis

Happy 2013!

As I get serious and excited to meet my goals for this year, I just wanted to thank everyone who has taken the time to check out this blog. To this point, it has been an “as needed” part of my writing life that I hope to expand on throughout the coming year.

Thanks and I wish all a great start to 2013. This is the year to make it happen!

Writing Journal

I have finished a major rewrite of my second novel and am beginning a new YA fantasy/mystery.

What I’m working on: Revisions of a short story.

What I’m listening to: Vampire Diaries soundtrack.

Why I’m happy: I can’t tell you yet 🙂

The devil on my shoulder says: Grading papers is overrated. Just write!

Writing Journal

I’m working on: The never ending edit of book 2. But good news, I have a finish date in sight. I promised wifey a copy to read for spring break!

I’m listening to: 1,000 Ships by Rachel Platten (love her).

I’m happy because: I found a weekly goal system that works…most of the time it works. Okay, it has worked for a month. Good feelings about its chances, though.

The devil on my shoulder says: Coffee. NOW!

New Year’s Resolution 2012

I have a list of goals for the year, but I can sum them up with a simple quote by Anne Lamott from her fantastic book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life.

“Be afraid of not getting your writing done. If something inside you is real, we will probably find it interesting, and it will probably be universal. So you must risk placing real emotion at the center of your work.”

So there it is. Write every day. Write with real emotion. I will walk the Dimholt Road and when I see the gate ahead of me telling me the way is shut, I will continue down the path of the writer.

Writing Journal

I’m working on: Cutting the junk out of chapter one!

I’m listening to: Blow Me Away by Breaking Benjamin

I’m happy because: I finished the laundry and my sweet baby boy is sleeping next to me.

The devil on my shoulder says: Uh oh…he’s quiet today 🙂

 

Baby Time

I have not been writing much for the last month, but bless his heart, my son Pearce joined us in the world eight weeks early. What I’ve lost in writing time I’ve gained in the ultimate audience. I have someone to write stories for, to create dynamite characters for that will resonate. He’s still in the hospital so I can’t talk long. Need my sleep and a sharp mind to at least write subconsciously. I’ll be back soon.

Waiting and Writing

This leaving the house and writing somewhere else is a great change of pace and might help me meet my goal of a finished book 2 by June.

What I’m working on:
Rewriting book 2, The Steel Spirit.

What I’m listening to:
A guy next to me talk in an Australian accent. I could listen all day.

Why I’m happy:
My house is full of fumes and I had to go to the coffee shop and write.

The devil on my shoulder says:
Git-r-done motivated writer.

Happy Bear

I’ve finally crawled out of the cave and awoke from a deep writing hibernation. Now let’s hope that creativity springs forth like fresh flowers and not cottonwood pollen (my eyes are itchy just thinking about it). I raise my cup of coffee and begin.

I’m working on: Editing book 2.

I’m listening to: Adele: Someone like you

I’m happy because: I just am!

The devil on my shoulder says: Welcome back to thy keyboard. Here is a girl scout cookie as your reward.