Writer Wednesday - When You Neglect Your Stories

Hocus Pocus and All That 

By Maureen L. Bonatch 

When You Neglect Your Stories 

"That look I get when I'm writing my stories."

I’m a fiction writer and a freelance writer. Lately my fiction stories are often waiting for attention while I rush to keep up with freelance deadlines. You see, fiction writing is more like a marathon, while freelance writing is comparable to a sprint—complete with editors and tight deadlines shouting from the sidelines. So, I keep thinking I’ll get back to “training for that marathon” after I finish this sprint. But time is a sneaky witch that has a way of distracting me of its passing as the days and months accumulate. Time wasn’t going to pause for me and my story, only I could try to cram more into each day than I already do.

This Is Not How My Story Ends
Fiction writing has been my dream since childhood, it’s what I want to do. “My story” ends with me being able to write fiction full time. The challenge with dreams is keeping them alive through nurturing, love and attention. People will notice if I neglect my freelance stories, because I must do them. Often the only one who notices that I’ve not had time for fiction is my characters.

Being a panster (writes by the seat of my pants) has other “side effects” for me besides a hot mess of a first draft. It allows me to discover the characters and the story almost as a reader would. It also means that when I pull a story out after neglecting it for a while that often I no longer remember what happened. That’s good, and bad.

It’s good that I can read my story with fresh eyes, but then I also don’t remember what needs added, corrected or deleted—or where I was going. Like a child vying for attention my characters “punish me” by withholding information and pushing some of the storyline from my feeble memory. This delays my writing process even longer because I need a large chunk of time to immerse myself with my characters. Time that I don’t always have to do what I want to do because there is too much I must do.

Side Effects of Neglecting Our Dreams
We all have our dreams. Many of us may have let them fade to a distant memory. But I find that I’m not the same person if I don’t make the time to cultivate my dreams. I may look the same on the outside, but on the inside, I’m less. The world seems darker and not as exciting. I’m not always immediately aware of what’s happening. Only feeling as if something just seems off. Then I realize that I haven’t written for a while. I need that indulgence more than a vampire needs blood, or a witch covets her favorite broom.

Think of one of your dreams and consider how you feel when you’re indulging in that dream. I’m betting you feel good—perhaps more whole, or complete. Because, you see, if we only allow time for dreams when we’re sleeping, we’ll never get to see how beautiful they can look in the light of day and how they are an essential part of our story.

How Do You Nurture Your Story?

~Originally published on Paranormal Romantics~

© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/

Writer Wednesday - There Should be More Dancing

Hocus Pocus and All That 

By Maureen L. Bonatch 

There Should be More Dancing 

"If you're getting ready to dance I'm outta here."

I’ve been really busy lately, and an adult for quite a while, the word “fun” sometimes sounds almost foreign. Fun? What is that? There were things that I used to find fun when I was younger but now, not so much.

But then I realized, there was one thing that was always fun for me as a child—and it still is.

Dancing Since Back in the Day

Saturday nights meant Hee Haw and then Lawrence Welk and dancing in the living room with my sister or my stuffed donkey. (Hey, it was the only thing that had arms long enough to be a partner.) As I grew older the dance floor remained in the living room but we moved to records and other music.

As a teenager, I went to the roller rink —where they’d have roller skating half the time and then dancing and other dance clubs and even dance aerobic classes (break out the spandex!).

The Beat of Adulthood

Although the opportunities to go out dancing dwindled, that didn’t stop me. I found ways to work in dancing through taking belly-dancing lessons and Zumba classes. The most distressing thing to me when I herniated a disc in my back and when my belly got so big when I was pregnant with the girls was that I couldn’t dance. (Okay, one distressing thing.)

No Dance Floor Required

When we finished the basement of our house (aka: man cave) I lost the battle to have a dance floor installed but won the colored dance lights I put on when the hockey game is over and me and my friends are ready to get our groove on.

No matter what age, venue or tune, I’m almost always ready to dance. Pretty much every day. Either In my kitchen. Or annoying Scruff when he refuses to join in dancing. Or wherever I get the opportunity. It’s in my blood. Really, it is. Years back when I went out with my 3 sisters and my Mom and a song came on, we all stood up simultaneously to head for the dance floor. It’s the only time I’m not trying to coerce other people to dance when the music is right.

Dancing is the perfect way to destress and take my mind off my troubles and it’s always so much fun.

Ready to Dance?

Originally published on www.maureenbonatch.com

© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/

Writer Wednesday - The Frightening Mind of a Paranormal Writer

Hocus Pocus and All That 

By Maureen L. Bonatch 

The Frightening Mind of a Paranormal Writer

"I can be frightening if I want to. Really. I can." 

October’s here, which can only mean one thing…no, look away from the turkey napkins and Christmas decorations and out to the colorful leaves falling from the trees….that’s right, it’s Fall and Halloween isn’t far behind.

This means a little more to me than raking leaves and gorging on Halloween candy. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…throw on a costume and you’re entitled to eat ALL the candy you want. I think they’re supposed to put less calories in the Halloween stuff, don’t quote me on that cause I’m not certain, that’s just my theory and please don’t tell me differently because I figure I’m entitled to the candy because wear a costume everyday— that of being a normal person when in reality—I’m a writer of paranormal.

That’s not a costume you say? Hmmm….have you ever looked closely into the mind of a paranormal writer? Do you really want to go there? Okay, if you can handle the scary stuff and you insist…it’s the result/curse/blessing of an overactive imagination. Some () examples just from today…

• Every single time I pull out a plastic fork from the box and the tongs scrape against each other, I begin to question if I really need to finish the work I was doing because I’m obviously asleep and it’s only moments before I’m pretty darn sure that Freddy Kruger is making his way into my office to begin his reign of terror and I begin to plot if I have any potential methods to evade him or…

• While driving through a dense fog and emerging only to become confused on a route that is generally familiar, I fairly certain that I may have passed through a parallel universe and was eager to see what we’d find. Was it the same year? Or the a different universe all together (I hope if it’s a different world that the snacks waiting would be calorie free)

Okay, I may have digressed some there and I don’t want to frighten you too much…

I must admit, I may have been influenced by my early readings of Stephen King, John Saul, Dean Koontz, JR Tolkien and Anne Rice. I moved to many of these stories after reading my first taste of the paranormal…the Sweet Valley High books. After an intro in each book describing the perfect blonde haired twins with perfect smiles, perfect size six figures, perfect…perfect…perfect…I was all like…wait a minute…these girls can’t be real. Give me some hobbits, vampires and other creatures of the night…now those are real. I know cause I’d often mistaken many a shadow for one (again, I told you, paranormal mind).

Then when television began to embrace the paranormal with shows like The X-Files, Ghost Whisperer, Medium and Charmed drew me in like no other. (I must admit, I might have been influenced slightly for my novella THAT MAGIC MOMENT since I wrote it during a time I may, or may not, have been watching a marathon of the television show Charmed and there is the slightest possibility that I may, or may not, have played the theme song.

I don’t always write, but when I do, it’s a paranormal…

Originally published on Paranormal Romantics Blogspot

© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/

Writer Wednesday - When You Talk to the Animals

Hocus Pocus and All That 

By Maureen L. Bonatch 

When You Talk to the Animals 

Does your pet talk to you? Mine does. Well, at least I think he does in that I not only spend much of my day talking to him when I’m home alone, I also occasionally answer for him. I’m not referring to Zoolingualism, or imitating animal sounds (although he does seem to try to occasionally send me mental messages). I mean I act as if he is answering as a person would. Well, a small, furry, person.

Some part of me thinks I know what he has to say. Unfortunately for Scruff, he can’t really confirm that the responses I provide for him are accurate. Instead he stares silently at me with his big, brown eyes desperately trying to give me a message (or wondering why his Mom is so…odd). I can probably safely assume that the majority of the time that message is that he’d like another treat, or that he wants to go outside. But I’ve taken it upon myself to imagine that he has much more to say if he could only convey it in more than pointed stares and huffs (he’s not much of a barker).

I’ve found that if I mention this to others who have pets that they often agree that they talk to their pets. I don’t always ask if they answer for them as well.

Do They Answer?

I’ve also taken the liberty of providing my tiny dog that has been noted to resemble a stuffed animal with a deep, masculine voice with a little bit of a southern accent. Why? That I can’t answer. I guess he kind of gave me the impression that since he’s a little guy with a lot of attitude who is terrified of almost everything—including the occasional leaf if it touches him—that he’d want to portray a tough image. I also assume he’d never forgive me if I gave him a high, squeaky voice to accompany his fuzzy cuteness that often gets him mistaken for a girl.

The southern accent? I have no idea. It just came to me as part of his ‘character’. Speaking of characters, mine always come with a pet or animal sidekick. Often I base the character of the animal, and sometimes the name, on animals I know, or have known. A few include:
• The Charmed Cocktail Cozy Mysteries (cat)
• Evil Speaks Softly- Mozart (dog)
• Destiny Calling- Tercet (cat)
• That Magic Moment- Juniper (cat)

I’ve taken this relationship a step further with my paranormal cozy mysteries (find them here: A Charmed Cocktail Cozy) and provided the ability for my character to communicate with her pet, and that they can actually communicate back.

So tell me, do you talk to your pets? If so, do they answer?

Article previously published on Here Be Magic Blogspot

© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/

Writer Wednesday - Who Changed My Toilet Paper

Hocus Pocus and All That 

By Maureen L. Bonatch 

Who Changed My Toilet Paper 

I’m team under. Several people in my family are team over. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about yet, you may not have a set opinion yet on whether you prefer your toilet paper rolling over the top, or under. I hadn’t realized I actually had a preference until I was challenged about the placement of my toilet paper. It had never really made all that much difference to me outside of my home, not as it does to some people who point out my faulty placement when they’re in my home, or even go so far as to tell me they’ve corrected it and turned the toilet paper to roll over the top.

(Fighting Words) Personal Preference or Not

Usually I shrug, and say I prefer it the other way, because it doesn’t seem like that much of a big deal. Although apparently it is. There are many articles and memes about placement on the internet, whether you’re team under or team over, and even ones that go as far as to indicate the patent drawing and how the toilet paper is placed to roll over the top.

This just supports that most people have beliefs that are deeply ingrained due to their personality, upbringing or just because they believe it’s the correct way—whether it matters all that much or not. And some may even be willing to debate their belief—fiercely. Even such a private matter, which really is more of a personal preference.

These preferences are just part of what makes up our individual beliefs. It defines our character and may show how fiercely we will fight to sway someone’s opinion. Often when we read, or write, a book, the conflict with the characters are significant—and usually they need to be to keep our interest for the length of the story.

Characters With Dimension

Little preferences such as toilet paper placement might be enough to make characters a little more three-dimensional, or perhaps make you root for them a little more if you’re in agreement, or have them loose a little of your favor, although most likely a more significant conflict is necessary to keep you turning the pages…that is, unless you’re someone who changes other people’s toilet paper placement. Perhaps there’s a mystery waiting to be written about identifying the mysterious toilet paper turner.

Looking for Bigger Mysteries?

Article previously published on Paranormal Romantics Blogspot

© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/

Writer Wednesday - What Point of View is For You?

Hocus Pocus and All That 

By Maureen L. Bonatch 

What Point of View is For You? 

 

We all have different reasons for choosing the types of book that we like to read. Perhaps the reason is just that you love a good story, no matter what the genre or what point of view (POV) it’s written in. I’ve written, and read, in third person POV as well as first person POV. I must admit that my favorite is usually first person POV. 

Many people have told me that they don’t care for first person POV for various reasons. Perhaps it’s because they’re only getting one person’s perception of how the story unfolds. They want to see what the hero thinks, or that the limits first person places on revealing things to the reader since we learn them with the heroine or hero are frustrating.

I’ve found that one of the main reasons I love first person POV goes a little deeper.

Save Your Penny

You may have heard the old idiom, “a penny for your thoughts”. Well, I’ve always been interested in what other people are thinking or how their mind works. I spend too much time observing others and analyzing what they are thinking, and why. The mysteries of the mind completely fascinate me. Hence why I spent many years working as a psychiatric nurse, and perhaps one reason why I started writing novels in first person POV.

I often think I know why someone does what they do, or what prompted them to act in a certain way, but I’ll never know for sure. It’s difficult enough to determine our own motives sometimes, let alone others.

But when you’re writing, or reading, a story in first person you can examine and explore someone else’s thought process. Any book provides you with a chance to explore an exotic adventure, or another place, and escape, but with first person it just feels so much more intimate to me. It’s almost as if you’re discovering the secret intricacies of the mind. Therefore, the stories I write in first person usually intertwine the story with the character’s emotional struggles.

It Takes Two POV

The books I write in third person POV are usually more fun and sexy. Perhaps that’s because most of us view other’s lives through rose-colored glasses. Always thinking perhaps their grass is always greener and their lives are fuller since we don’t have the entire story. We see what they want us to see as we look on in their story. Sometimes that’s enough.

What About You? Do You Have a Favorite Point of View?

Article previously published on Paranormal Romantics Blogspot

© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/

Writer Wednesday - So Many Books So Little Time

Hocus Pocus and All That 

By Maureen L. Bonatch 

So Many Books So Little Time 

I made a resolution about 2 years ago and stuck to it. After years of neglecting my reading time due to raising twins, working, writing and whatever else life threw my way, I decided to make reading a priority again. There were a lot of good reasons for this besides my love of reading, including helping to make me a better writer, and for stress reduction and well, general happiness! The problem is in deciding what book to read next.

It’s a good problem to have and I’m usually continuously accumulating new books in my TBR pile on my Kindle. This has led to a plethora of books and for someone who is usually very organized, they aren’t well organized into what I’ve read or not, or even to remember that I added a book when it’s buried under the TBR pile. (note to self: organize Kindle better so I know what I wanted to read next!).

So how do I decide what to read next, or what I put in that TBR pile?

Recommendation
This has been the most common way for me to choose my next book. My mother and two of my sisters are avid readers so we’re always recommending books. Our tastes are similar in stories, so this is usually a sure fire way to know I have a story I’m going to enjoy.

I also get recommendations from friends, and fellow authors. This can sometimes allow me to explore something a little out of my usual read.

Reviews
Love em’ or hate em’, I do check out the reviews if it’s an author I’m not familiar with or a book that I’m not quite sure will be my cup of tea. But I will say that I don’t base my decision solely on this because I know each person has a personal taste in their reading choices.

Back to Basics
If I’m not sure what I want to read next, or I just want a book that’s comfortable in that I know it’s most likely going to be a good read, then I go back to a favorite author. Do they have something new out? Do they have a book that isn’t new but I have overlooked before?

How to Choose
Sometimes the recommendation or reviews listed above have me diving right into the story no questions asked. I don’t even read the blurb half the time, or at times I’m not even positive of the title. I just know it’s going to be good.

If I’m still on the fence I usually take advantage of the ‘look inside’ feature and read the first paragraph to see if I like the writing style and if the story hooks me from the start.

When It Doesn’t Meet My Expectations
I have to admit that I’m stubborn when it comes to a book—which is a good thing for authors. I refuse to give up until I’ve given the story multiple chances to pull me in. It’s very infrequent that I just don’t finish.

If it’s an author that I’ve loved in the past, I forgive a multitude of things that might normally aggravate me. One recent book had me wondering just what the genre was for the first third of the book to the point that I had to go back to read the information about the story. I didn’t give up because I usually love this author. It wasn’t his best story, but the writing kept me engaged and hopeful.

Another new author had so much backstory that I struggled to keep moving in the story until I got about half-way into the book. I didn’t give up because a family member recommended this book and I wasn’t disappointed once I got going. It was a great book, which I realized after had received many awards—despite a plethora of backstory and other ‘writer no-no’s’.

My daughter recommended a classic that I’d never read. I struggled at first. A lot. The writing was so different than I was accustomed to, but in the end I enjoyed the story and we were able to discuss the book.

How Do You Pick Your Next Book to Read?

Post originally featured on Here Be Magic blogspot

© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/

Writer Wednesday - Plowing Through Procrastination

Hocus Pocus and All That 

By Maureen L. Bonatch 

Plowing Through Procrastination 

When I read stories full of magic and unique abilities there are many that I’d like to have, although one often comes to mind for the everyday world. That’s the ability to tap into ongoing motivation. You know, those days when you wake up and hit the ground running. When nothing can stand in your way from tackling that To-Do list with ease. Those mountains from yesterday suddenly seem like mole-hills—as if you’d drank a magic elixir that made most of your worries disappear.

It seems very much like some kind of super power because often the next day, or week, I’ll wake up and that motivation has fizzled away and I’m slumped in a pool of procrastination or weighed down by tasks that seem insurmountable. I’m left wondering what caused my motivation to depart and wishing I could’ve bottled that magic elixir full of motivation to draw upon as needed.

Bottling Up the Magic

Sometimes the only magic elixir necessary might be your morning beverage of choice—coffee here. Other days, it’s just plowing in and hoping that once you get warmed up to the tasks, things will seem easier. Other things I’ve found that might affect my productivity can include:

• Attitude
Perception of the task at hand, and the attitude surrounding it, might make a difference in the ability to complete it with ease. I’ve heard this referred to as starting the day by ‘eating the frog’. I’m not certain how a poor frog came to represent the most undesirable or dreaded task for the day, but the idea is to do the most difficult task first and get it out of the way so the rest of the day goes more smoothly. That way you feel awesome for crossing that big item off your To-Do list!

• Time of Day
Most of us relate to thinking of ourselves as an early bird, or a night owl, which relates to our most energetic and productive time of day. As an early bird myself, by the end of the day even simple tasks can seem overwhelming. By then I’ve depleted my energy for the day, so I save the most difficult tasks for morning and make the most of my energy at then.

• Benefits
What’s the benefit of completing this task? If there’s a reward at the end, even if it’s knowing you’ve gotten to the bottom of the laundry pile, it can provide a little motivation. If it’s a routine task that we have to do frequently, often we forget what benefits they might bring. Also the temptation to procrastinate might be stronger depending upon who this benefits. Such as who’s going to notice if I don’t do this? Or we may tend to do more for others than for ourselves.

• Timeframe
Things such as how long a task takes can play into the desire to get to work. Sometimes a task—such as writing a novel—takes a long time before seeing the result and can make it easy to procrastinate. Although in the end, that makes that timeframe even longer.

Taking My Own Advice

It’s easy to dish out advice to others, look at their issues, dig into the root of the problem and then offer suggestions to get out of the rut of procrastination, it’s not always so easy to apply those principles ourselves.

How Do You Stop Procrastinating and Get Motivated?

Post Originally Featured on Paranormal Romantics Blogspot

© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/

A Writer's Words - Perks Of Being A Villain

Hocus Pocus and All That 

By Maureen L. Bonatch 

Perks Of Being A Villain 

What’s so good about being bad? Check out how these unsavory traits transform into the perks of being a villain. 

• A bad hair day is every day 

Hop out of bed, and out the door because that’s just the way villains roll. Wild and unruly locks accompany the villain job description. If the good guy has that long tendril of hair obscuring one of his eyes, the heroine is suspicious of him until he proves he’s not the villain in disguise. 

• But when you look good, you look really good 

Who needs charm, daily shaving, or pressed clothes when you’re the bad boy? It’s hard to resist the temptation to partake in what you offer…the forbidden. A wink of an eye, or a seductive whisper and you’ve got it in the bag. 

• Inappropriate responses are expected

You say what everyone else is thinking but are too polite to say aloud. No waiting until you’re old to lose your filter. No woman will ever ask you, “Do these pants make my butt look big?” They know what you’re going to say, and it’s not going to be nice...because nice guys finish last. 

• Permission to be in a bad mood all the time, in fact, it’s encouraged! 

No one asks you why you’re in a bad mood, it’s expected because that’s part of the villain’s personality. Forget the fake, plastered smile and let it all hang out. You wear a smirk like your favorite fashion accessory. Because if you’re nice...well, see below. 

• Being nice just makes people suspicious 

Even if you’re having a good day and try to be nice to someone, no one believes you. It’s out of character. They think you’re up to something, or you have an ulterior motive. It’s not even worth being nice unless you’re utilizing this tactic to alleviate boredom by watching them squirm. 

• Females have the advantage 

They’ll never see you coming. It’s not natural for a woman to be nasty, so this is your chance to release your inner diva. You might even be able disguise downright rude and nastiness by using the excuse of it being your time of the month, or menopause. If you’re in a group of men throw out vague terminology about female issues and watch them flee. 

• Fluent in sarcasm 

You might not be the smartest when it comes to outwitting the hero until the end, unless you challenge him to a battle of wits and sarcastic remarks. It’s why we love you despite your being so darn despicable. 

• You usually get the good lines

Sure, you might die in the end, but your one-liners live on forever. Here are a few you might recognize. Why not share a few of your favorites? 

o “I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.” 

o “Here’s Johnny!”

o “Mr. Anderson.” 

o “Ever Danced with the Devil by the Pale Moonlight?” 

o “If he dies. He dies.” 

~Post originally featured on www.maureenbonatch.com 

© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved 

Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/

A Writer's Words - Move Past Your Backstory

Hocus Pocus and All That 

By Maureen L. Bonatch 

Move Past Your Backstory

I spent the last year decluttering and Marie Kondo-ing most of my house. Most, but not all—and I especially avoided one area and that was…paper. 

Most writers would understand my love affair with paper, it goes hand and hand with words. Despite most of the writing courses I took being online, I continued to print out the lessons and organize them in a trusty binder for reference. As well as keeping them somewhere on my computer. 

There’s just Something about Holding it

If it’s on paper it can be highlighted, and tagged with colorful little sticky notes for easy reference. Problem was, it didn’t seem that I’d referenced many of this information for years—if ever—after the course ended. The result is a plethora of folders, binders, and other reference materials for fiction and freelance writing, in addition to the usual paperwork I’d already went through once in the filing cabinet.

Paralyzed By Preparation

Some of the information is probably long outdated, or not necessary for me since I’m probably either already utilizing these tips, or I’m not going to use them at all. But to get rid of that security blanket of paperwork and binders is scary. I pile them near as if their mere presence will make me a better writer just by osmosis. As if—to quote another favorite expression–I have allowed perfection to paralyze me from acting.

Writing courses are wonderful. They’ve helped me so much over the years as I proudly touted one of my favorite expressions of, ‘never stop learning.’ The problem is, when do you stop building your backstory and just start doing?

Starting The Story

Freeing my house of other clutter gave me joy to be able to easily access my favorite things, and not be weighed down by other things that no longer served me at this time of my life. To do that with the papers is to recognize that I’ve already acquired this knowledge and that I just have to continue to put it to use.

We don’t want to see all the ‘backstory’ of what the character did, or the years that built up to the action. We want to see the character at the start a new quest, or fearlessly moving out of their comfort zone. It’s not that they stop learning, it’s that they realize they can apply what they learned, and know when they’ve mastered the knowledge.

The same as if you’ve worked to learn a new skill, or ability, and are just not sure when you can take off the training wheels and not just put them to the side, but actually throw them away. Often that’s when you find the freedom to truly start your story.

What’s Holding You in Your Backstory?

 
*Article previously featured on the Paranormal Romantics Blogspot

 
© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/

A Writer's Words - Making Your Home Your Happy Place

Hocus Pocus and All That 

By Maureen L. Bonatch

Making Your Home Your Happy Place 

The summer is traditionally the time for vacations and our family has went on a vacation almost every year—except this year. COVID-19 had us cancelling our plans and opting to stay at home. Except that I am subjected to ‘memories’ of our past vacations almost daily on my social media sites, and photos of other people’s vacations as a constant reminder of what I’m missing. I have to admit, it makes me a little jealous.

Many people talk about their ‘happy place’ where they go to escape the everyday, reduce stress or just slow down and reflect. Lucky for me, I started to incorporate some of the key elements of my ‘happy place’ into my home and habits over the last few years so I don’t have to travel to find that place.

Your Home

When I returned from our vacation last year I worried stress would resume once I returned home. I considered the things that made me feel more at peace on vacation, because it isn’t always the place, and I have the people with me (my family), it’s often examining the little things in the environment.

• I changed the centerpiece on our dining room table to replicate the one in our vacation place, which was more tropical and simple. Each time I see it my mind goes to our vacation memories and I feel more relaxed.

• The ‘little niceties’ of vacation make it special for me. Thick towels, fancy hand scrubs, and nice dishes when dining out. I thought, what not do the same at home? I replaced some of our old towels and washcloths with plush ones, put an aromatic hand scrub in the bathroom, and use our nice dishes each day. This helps to make every day special.

• Occasionally I go to a spa while on vacation and have a facial or massage. I bought face masks and other special bath soaps to enjoy a little ‘home spa’ time now and then.

Your Habits

The pace on vacation is slower and more relaxed. Sure I can’t replicate having each day to lounge, but I can implement some of the habits.

• I make time at least a few times a week to sit on the porch in the early morning with my coffee. This fifteen-minute habit replicated from vacation evokes peace for the start of my day instead of feeling rushed.

• Before a trip, I load up my kindle with new books and make more time to read. Instead of waiting for that trip, I now make an effort to incorporate more reading time into my day, even if it’s a ten minute break with my lunch, or before bedtime. Reading allows me to travel without ever leaving my home.

• I take an occasional “mental health day” or plan a Staycation to enjoy at home or walking and bicycling in the outdoors. This little break from the daily pace and rush of life can be rejuvenating and refreshing.

Focus on You

Vacation is always a time that I spend as much time ‘living the dream’ of writing full time. We all get busy and sometimes our dreams and favorite hobbies get pushed to the backburner until we have time off to focus on ‘us’. I’ve made an effort to make the time to write more, and focus on me, even if it’s just a short period each day, and I’m happier for it.

What Vacation Habits Can You Incorporate Without Leaving Home?

*Article previously featured on the Paranormal Romantics Blogspot

© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/

A Writer's Words - My Favorite Thing About a New Year

Hocus Pocus and All That

By Maureen L. Bonatch;

My Favorite Thing About a New Year

I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions. Sure, I’ve made them, but all too often they’re the same resolutions and feel more like a ‘to do’ list, or even a ‘things I feel guilty about not doing last year list’. So much that I could label it as things I should’ve done last year—eat healthier, exercise more, spend more time writing etc. etc. Or I should say, ditto from last year.

I’ve tried making detailed lists of steps to reach these goals at the start of the New Year, but instead of motivating me to do more, it simply gave me more to feel guilty about a few months into the year when I realize how far I’d fallen behind. Besides, I’ve come to accept that the motivation and desire to make a change is more important—and effective— than the month of the year.

Paper Calendar of Dreams

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of a new year isn’t always resolutions—it’s getting out my new calendar. Sure, I have an online google calendar, and it’s awesome—but it isn’t enough. There’s something about a paper calendar.

When I get my new monthly desk calendar out, the crisp blank pages are waiting for me to make them my own, just like the new year. Each new month waiting to be filled with all the hopes, dreams and goals for the new year.

Life Happens Between the Wrinkled Pages

Life is busy. So much that sometimes the days, months and years seem to blur together. I’ll wonder if something happened this year— or maybe it was the year before. When I pull out the calendar for the year that’s ending, I go through it month by month to write down those special days that reoccur every year such as birthdays and anniversaries. Adding stickers or highlighting so I don’t forget, and to remind me what I have to look forward to when I flip to that new month.

Usually this mundane task inadvertently results in my reflecting on the year. Recalling the challenges, the joys, the memories that were made. To appreciate just how much happened, in addition, or instead of, those recurring failed resolutions.

Because often the best things in life occur in all those little things that happen while we’re focusing on what we think are the big things.

How Do You Reflect on the Passing Year?

*Article previously featured on the Paranormal Romantics Blogspot

© 2021 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/