Achieving your goals…with a broom!

Image by Chiot's Run via Flickr

If you have read my previous posts, you know that I’m a fan of keeping things clean and organized. With the arrival of spring came the need to freshen up my home and shed light on the dark corners and narrow spaces that rarely get attention. Since I have a very busy routine with work, homeschool, and keeping house, I usually take time off work to get my spring cleaning done. I also schedule the kid’s spring break the same week so that I’m freed up from teaching lessons. This also means I have extra hands to help me out. Ha!

This, twice a year, cleaning sprint really helps me in more ways than one. I have a daily goal to spend more quality time with my kids. As a working mom, being organized helps my day go smoother and frees up more stress-free time to accomplish this.

One of my more ambitious goals is to become a full-time fiction writer. If it is God’s will and desire, I will achieve this one day, and I try to live my day to day life doing things that draw me closer to achieving this goal. Keeping my home clean and organized frees up more of my time so that I can write. It also declutters my mind so that I can focus and do my best writing.

You might feel that your busy schedule doesn’t allow you enough time to keep a clean and organized home. Maybe you’re right, but let me challenge you on this. First, take a detailed look at your day from the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night. How do you spend your time?

Next, make a list of your life goals. They could be big or small. They could be financial, professional, educational, emotional, parental, material, etc. You can even break them down into long-term and short-term. I know this sounds deep, but bear with me.

Once you have done this, make a list of everything you need to get done during the day, and the things you want to get done. Are you getting these things accomplished from day to day? If not, why? Are these things going to help you reach your goals? If not, how can you change them to be more goal driven?

Allow me to give you some examples. But, before I do, let me point out that I have been guilty of these from time to time, so I’m not pointing fingers.

How much time are you spending on electronic devices? Are you surfing Facebook, or other social media, more than an hour each day? If so, and your goal is not to become a social media master, then you should probably cut back and use your time more wisely.

Do you spend your day picking up messes behind your children? If so, and your goal is not to teach them to be irresponsible and completely dependent on you, then you should probably encourage them to pick up after themselves.

The point is, if you want to achieve your goals, you have to spend time doing things that are going to help you get there. Many people want to be more organized, and wish they had more time and motivation to keep a clean home. Many people can also agree that spring cleaning can be a nightmare if you have decided to put everything off until then.

I think it’s important to point out that when I say “clean and organized”, I don’t mean everything should be in its place at all times, and you should be able to pass the white glove test. If you have kids, or just a busy schedule, then there are probably a few toys scattered about or dirty dishes in the sink at any given point during the day. Big deal. I try not to sweat the little stuff because life happens.

When I ask if your home is clean and organized, what I’m really asking is: How long has it been since you dusted your ceiling fan? Cleaned your bedroom closet, or under your bed? Organized your kitchen cabinets, or cleaned behind your refrigerator? Being organized doesn’t have to be hard. It’s just a matter of having a place to put everything, and having everything is a sensible location. It doesn’t mean your DVDs should be in alphabetical order, but if that’s what makes you happy, then go for it!

In my next post, I’ll share a few tips on how I am able to accomplish my desired level of clean and organized in my home. Until then…

Does keeping a clean and organized home, help you to reduce stress and accomplish goals? Are you able to get more things done by keeping a cleaning schedule? Are you obsessed with organization? What are some of the things you do to stay organized?

A Special Thanks to The Pioneer Woman!

Image by litlnemo via Flickr

Being a good writer is based on many things including knowledge and wisdom of the craft, but in my opinion, our experiences are really what set each writer apart. With that said, I'll share one of my experiences with you about a topic that I love almost as much as writing - cooking.

Before I was blessed to work out of my home office (a corner in my master bedroom), I spent two hours on the road each day driving to work. This meant getting home after six o'clock, and being too tired to get creative in the kitchen. Who am I kidding? I was too tired to walk into the kitchen. Needless to say, my family ate a lot of takeout and processed meals.

Did you know that there are 32 different types of Hamburger Helper!?

When I became pregnant with my daughter, I feared having to leave my newborn in someone else's care for 10+ hours a day. I wanted to raise her! Thankfully, I was able to make arrangements with my boss to work from home full-time.

To all the mothers out there everywhere who didn't have this choice...my heart goes out to you.

Suddenly, I had time to cook a meal that hadn't been previously frozen or dehydrated. This doesn't mean I began whipping up gourmet meals though. I had never been very savvy in the kitchen, so I did what most of us do when we're looking for inspiration. I opened up the cabinet, pulled out a cookbook, and blew off the dust. The only problem was, I didn't have half the ingredients for any of the recipes that didn't look too intimidating.

What the heck is dill? Does this have something to do with a pickle? I have pickles!

Yeah, it was sad.

I tried many different recipes from my cookbooks and online, but there were few that spoke to me. I still didn't feel comfortable in the kitchen, and shopping for those mystery ingredients was frustrating and expensive. I wanted to cook "normal food," and still impress my family.

I had caught a glimpse of a few episodes of The Pioneer Woman before, but it was one in particular that really got my attention. She was making Fettuccine Alfredo, and I was completely floored that the sauce of one of my most favorite Italian dishes was made from only three main ingredients!

I still can't believe it... If you don't believe it either, you can find her recipe here.

This simple recipe gave me confidence in the kitchen, and I became an instant Ree Drummond fan. Along the way, I have learned so much from her creative, yet simple, cooking style. I have used so many of her recipes that my son will say, "Hey, this is good! Is this a Pioneer Woman recipe?"

In addition, I love writing historical fiction, so this knowledge has come in handy. I'm pretty sure our great grand mothers never cooked Hamburger Helper.

So, a special thanks to you Mrs. Drummond for opening my eyes to the simplicity of cooking with fresh ingredients, and the value of a good iron skillet. Not to mention, the understanding that butter spread and stick butter are not equals.

My family thanks you too!

Spring Can Be A Motivational Writing Tool!

Image by Xavier via Flickr

Finally! The song birds have arrived and spring has begun! Although spring is not my most favorite time of year, it is definitely when I'm feeling the most optimistic. When I think of spring I think of new - new grass, new leaves, new flowers, and new baby rabbits, ducks and birds... The list goes on.

God definitely knew what He was doing when He created spring. Nothing is more motivating than seeing dull, bony tree-limbs come back to life with a burst of green, or the remnants of dead leaves protruding with fresh green stems of new spring flowers, and especially that... Can you hear it? The sweet sounds of the song birds breaking the silence of winter.

It doesn't matter what you do for a living, spring has the power to put a little pep in your step.

With that said, spring also brings new jobs to do around the house. This winter, like most, has taken a toll on my home and lawn. I will likely be spending a few long Saturdays repairing the damage and cleaning things up for the warm season.

I don't mind though. Just as I love new spring flowers, I love the results of a freshly cleaned home, groomed rose bushes, garden boxes planted with my favorite vegetables, and a brightly decorated screen porch ready for use. Winter can be bleak, especially towards the end, so it's nice to get a chance of pace. Even if it requires a little work.

For a writer, spring brings the opportunity to take your creativity outdoors - literally and figuratively. Unless you live in the south where the winters are mild, you've likely been trapped inside for the last few months using chocolate and strong coffee for motivation. I've said it before, winter can be very dispiriting. Even an occasional glimpse of sunshine during the gloomy season seemed to do wonders for my mood. Being able to go out onto my front porch and see the big blue sky allowing the sun to coat everything with it's warm rays is so refreshing. I can only speak for myself, but I find it to be a very inspirational writing tool.

In another sense, you can introduce more sunshine into your writing. I don't know about you, but it's harder for me to visualize the beauty of spring when the ground is covered in a cold sheet of snow. Your creative spirit has more range when you can literally experience what you want to write about. I'm not saying it's impossible to write about spring during the fall or winter, but there are details that are easy to forget when you're not in the moment. For example, the distinct smell of burgers on the grill, blooming lilacs, and fresh-cut grass. The sound of a gray squirrel scaling a tree to her nest, a woodpecker piercing the bark of an oak, or children playing outside. There's also the taste of fresh lemonade, garden vegetables, or honeysuckle nectar.

Use your senses to fuel your creativity!

Don't forget, however, to stop and smell the roses. As much as you should use spring to your writing advantage, you should also enjoy it. Put away the laptop and cleaning tools a couple of hours each day and just relax. Sip some sweet tea, and spend quality time with family and friends. After all, spring is only here for a season.

What about you? Does spring boost your mood? Do you find spring to be a motivational tool for writing?

2015 Goal #1 Completed!

Image by Seb Cooper via Flickr

My writing goal, number one, for 2015 has been accomplished! I have revised and submitted my inspirational romance manuscript to the agent, again. I think that warrants a firework, or two.

Now, I wait. Which, I have to tell you, is the worst part. So, in order to keep myself from being email obsessed, I will move on to goal number two, which is to complete my YA Fantasy.

To keep me on track for this goal, I've been researching some writing contests that I can enter it in. Since many writing contests for 2015 have already begun accepting submissions, and my story is only about fifty percent completed, I will likely enter next year. However, I'm still researching, so you never know - I might get aggressive with this goal and find a contest accepting submissions later in the year. Either way, I'll keep you posted on the progress, which will also keep me accountable.

Have you ever entered your novel, or other piece of writing, into a contest? What was the outcome? Would you do it again?

Update - Readying my Manuscript for Re-submission

Image by Neil Moralee via Flickr

Have you ever completed something, something significant, only to find out that you had to start all over again. That's pretty much what happened to me with my current manuscript. After completing an edit for an agent in order to fit within the guidelines of a particular book series, I was told the book series was ending.

If you are a fan of inspirational romance, then you've probably heard of Heartsong Presents.

For the edit, I only had to add about 3,000 words to my manuscript, and I was more than happy to do it. The idea that my story, which I put my heart into, could have the opportunity to be picked for this series was very exciting. I'll admit, I was a little more than crushed to find out the news. Nonetheless, I wasn't about to give up on my dream to be published. I responded to the agent the only way that I felt I should.

"I understand. Thank you for the opportunity."

At first, it felt like the end of all opportunities for this story. Even though I knew this wasn't true, after having really high hopes for something, news like that was hard to take.

Thankfully, the agent wasn't ready to let me go. I was asked to edit my manuscript once again, but this time, for another series. As I mentioned in a previous post, this required a 20,000-word addition to my story. Although I was extremely thankful for the opportunity, I knew this was going to be challenging for me. Nonetheless, I began the edit - determined to make my story even better than before.

It's been nearly four months, and I'm happy to report, I have finally completed the large addition. As the cliche` goes, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Now, working to polish it for re-submission, I am so happy with the end result. The story is much more developed, and, since I had originally planned to continue this story with subsequent books, I feel a sense of closure.

My goal is to resubmit the manuscript on Monday. Literary agents are very busy folks, and must take their current clients with the highest priority, so I don't expect a quick response. However, I will be sure to keep you posted on the outcome of this exciting opportunity - good or bad.

Beating the Monotonous Routine

Last weekend, my husband and I got the rare opportunity to spend a few hours alone on Valentine's Day. Even rarer, we got to see a UK basketball game at Rupp Arena, which was a really nice treat.

Doesn't sound romantic? I say, it's what you make of it. Besides, you can't get much closer than two arena seats at a basketball game.

In addition to getting some quality time with my honey, it was really nice to get some time away from the norm of my daily routine. With my schedule, routines are important, but everyone should take time away from the monotonousness sometime - even if only for a few hours.

Being in a maximum filled, 23,000-capacity, arena also gives one the opportunity to see plenty of personality. I sometimes forget just how interesting, and unusual, people can be. Experiencing new and unusual personality quirks can give some great ideas to introduce into the characters of  a current story.

Since Christmas break, I've been struggling with motivation. I'm not sure if it's due to the winter season, or that I'm getting burned out on my current story (one can only stand to read and edit a story so many times), but it definitely helps to get out of the house and do something different. You should try it.

This week, I have dealt with a new dilemma. With the recent now fall, and record cold temperatures, I don't have the option to get out of the house. I've mentioned recently that the beauty of an occasional snow fall can spark inspiration; however, too much snow can definitely be a downer.

I mean, this is ridiculous! Yeah, that's my car.

With the threat of cabin fever at my doorstep, I have been forced to trudge on and try to accomplish as much as I can with my, most recent, story edit. In this situation, there is still hope to get away from the normal - even without leaving the house. Whether it's s'mores in the living room over a candle, enjoying snow cream, or bundling up for some snow angle-making, there are still ways to beat the monotonous routine.

Do you find it hard to stay motivated during the winter season? How do you beat the monotonous routine?

Love Is In the Air

Image by Tim Hamilton via Flickr

L'amour...

 As Valentine's Day draws near, and you're plagued with pink and red, loved-themed products and advertising everywhere you go, you can't help thinking about the ones you love. For writers of romance, this time of year can certainly help inspire story ideas, or motivate progress on a current story. Everyone has days, weeks, or even months when either, or both, inspiration or motivation is lacking. With all the love in the air, this is a great time to take advantage of your friend's and co-worker's gushing confessionals about their Valentine's Day date-nights or romantic getaways. Use it as an opening to find out how they met.

Maybe you have your own romantic plans to motivate you. No Valentine? Maybe a romance movie marathon is a great substitute! It's certainly a great way to spark inspiration for your own romance story ideas, and the best part...you don't have to share your box of chocolates.

Are you feeling inspired or motivated as Valentine's Day draws near? Have any of your current stories been inspired by someone's personal love story?