Pitch those Literary Tents!

In less than 24-hours I will be going camping, but not the kind of camping your thinking. It's Camp NaNoWriMo time! Some of you may be familiar with the ever popular NaNoWriMo challenge that occurs every year. One novel. One month. One never-ending supply of coffee. Well, now this lovely little writing challenge is offered again only this time in the form of Camp NaNoWriMo. Start those word documents. Beginning June 1st, I will be taking the challenge of penning 50,000 words in the course of 30 days. Crazy, I know. Previously, I've attempted the original NaNoWriMo three times. Each time chickening out within the matter of a week. This time I'm stepping up to the plate again in order to conquer my writing and creativity fears by finishing the challenge. Making it out unscathed will be another matter in itself. So, do you think you're up for the challenge? Push your own boundaries and sign up for the very challenging, very fun, and, also, very free www.campnanowrimo.org to start! Get sorted into a cabin with your fellow writing friends or make new ones on your fantastic camp journey. Post info about your novel, get helpful tips and advice, and most importantly have fun! So, good luck to you and your literary journey about ready to embark and remember to let your creativity do the walking.

Crazy Little Thing Called Life

Much to my chagrin, it's been almost two months since I've posted. Being a college student is a whirlwind of crazy sometimes. Who am I kidding? Life is hectic 24/7 when you're pursuing higher education, yet it's bittersweet. This marks my last semester before I recieve my Associate in Arts degree. Hopefully within this time I will discover my purpose so I know which major I am going to pursue once I transfer schools. Also, to add to the load, I'm performing my dream role (aka: the role of a lifetime) as Tracy Turnblad in my college's production of Hairspray. Singer, dancer, actress, triple-threat leading lady? No pressure, right? So, as you can imagine this has given me very little, if not any, time to write. College student by day and musical theatre star by night, I have found it difficult to set time aside to let my writing juices flow. There are several writing contests that I'm aware of with upcoming deadlines which I hope to enter If I can find time. In spite of the crazy schedule, I have found a new form of inspiration when it comes to the very little writing I do anymore. The dictionary.

Simple. Classic. Unexpected. This would seem to be the place to go AFTER you've begun to write. Quite the contrary. I have discovered that by thinking of a word, I have immediately researched its exact definition and then based a short story, poem, or piece on the actual word or one of its many meanings. This is an especially useful technique for all genres of writing, as it can be implemented in unlimited areas. So, keep this idea in mind if you happen to be looking for a new way to get those writing wheels turning.

What Puts the "S" in Super?

Many films center around the central theme of super heroes. Whether decorated with a dazzling cape or in everday clothes, I got to thinking as I indulged my inner child by watching the loveable cartoon movie "Megamind", what makes a superhero super? Is it in who they are or how they act? As a writing prompt for fellow writers out there, what do you feel makes a superhero super? Feel free to post your thoughts/answers.

As the New Year Approaches so Do New Dreams

So, it's obvious to state that I haven't written in a while. In all actuality I haven't been doing a whole lot of anything these past few months. My crazy life has been boggled, and no that was not due to my college workload.

Lately, I've been going through a bit of an early life crisis. Possibly, this is due to the fact I will be turning the big 2-0 in a few short months. Either way the case, the last thing I've wanted to do is write. Granted, in the fall I took a creative writing class in attempts to regain my previous literary momentum. I wrote poems, started novels, and procrastinated on short stories. No matter how hard I tried I could not seem to garner the inspiration my soul craved. I did manage to win a weekly writing competition in my local newspaper with one of my poems but I didn't feel satisfied.

So, over Christmas break I decided to take a trip to Miami to stay with my older brother. I took this time to clear my mind and go looking for myself. Oh, and how I did look. In dark bars listening to cover bands. In high-end stores, where this dedicated vintage store shopper squandered away $200.00 on a pair of blue jelly Vivienne Westwood heels. Amongst detailed graffiti walls at crowded art walks in the Wynwood District. And lastly on the beach a mere seven blocks from my brother's apartment.

As I realized how close the new year was approaching I thought long and hard about how resolutions are put off until January 1st when they should start this very moment. I recounted moments passed, promises made, dreams envisioned, magical days, tearful goodbyes, and the number of times I've said "I wish I would have...." We spend our lives wishing and not doing what we set out to do. All we have left is a slew of days passed when we decided not to act on our dreams. That is why I am making my pre-New Year's resolution. Here's to my future, I vow that I will never again use the phrase, "I wish I would have..." I'm chosing to be progressive and take the challenge to keep up with my blogs, write as much (if not more) as I did before, and take on new, creative endevours including art, fashion, and music. It's time to take the challenge for their is no day but today. What do you want most this upcoming new year?

Guest blogger

Hello Everybody,

Today I had the honor and privilege to be a guest blogger on critically-acclaimed, award-winning author Dallas Woodburn's Blog. Check out the link below to read the article in its entirety and be sure to check out my interview with her, which will be posted to the same site tomorrow. Thanks again to Dallas for the amazing opportunity! You are an inspiration to all.

http://dallaswoodburn.blogspot.com/

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Today I received the wonderful news that my poem "Are the Golden Years Gone?" is going to be published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just for Teens. This will be hitting bookstores on July 26, 2011 so be sure to pick up a copy or even order from Amazon.com. Thank you so much to Chicken Soup for this wonderful opportunity. I am both humbled and honored and cannot wait for the day I can walk into my local Barnes and Noble and pick up a copy off the shelf for myself.

The Fear

To be held back, stifled from life, success, love, and prosperity. This is our battle, our eternal fight. The purest poison in that of fear. Its monster hands squeeze the life out of everything it touches. It indeed is the only thing that ever holds us back, above all else. To ask oneself the question, "Why not?" The answer is, "Because I/we are afraid."

Some dash from their fears, forever hiding, while others run into its arms embracing the darkness. These reckless individuals are terrorized and comforted at the same time by that inanimate emotion forever plaguing their existence. It is daunting, constricting to our life because with it fully present ceases our ability to function, for we are afraid to move at all because of the fear.

Thus it is our goal and duty to remove all of the fear from our lives, as much as possible. Because a life without fear is when we can finally spread our wings, jump off of the cliff, and fly.