Monday Check in

Last week...

Writing Related: I'm still tinkering with the blurb for the back cover. I have a couple of different versions but nothing that I'm 100% happy with. I'm also waiting to hear back from my beta readers. I should get the last of the feedback by this coming weekend.

Motivational Quote:  "When you're younger, it's easy to underestimate how fleeting the days can be. Each choice matters. Each day matters. When you're older, it's easy to underestimate how much opportunity you still have. Don't talk yourself out of it. It's never too late to start." ~ James Clear

What I'm Reading: I started reading Sleep No More by Jayne Ann Krentz last week. I've read a lot of her previous books including those written under her Amanda Quick pseudonym. I hate to say it, but I'm really struggling to get through this book. 

Random Thoughts:  As much as I'm enjoying watching the Olympics, I'm also looking forward to them ending. I'm finding myself watching various events when I should be doing other things. 

Random Photo:

                  Mrs. Green and Somebody sharing the window while watching the birds. 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Caine's book is finished, I hope. I'm sending it to my beta readers today. While they have it, I'm going to work on the back cover copy.  I think writing the blurb is almost harder than writing the actual book. It might take me the whole week to get the blurb done to the point where I think it's not completely terrible.

Motivational Quote:  "You can always attempt things and if they do not work out well; fine. But at every point in time, you just need to put in your best." ~ Kafayat Sanni

What I'm Reading:  I started The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center a few days ago. I've read a lot of her work and enjoyed most of them. I think there was only one that I didn't finish. 

Random Thoughts:  I don't usually watch sports of any kind but when the Olympics roll around, I find myself glued to the TV. I try to watch as many of the different sporting events as I can during the summer games. During the winter games, I usually only watch the ice skating, skiing, bobsled, and luge events. 

Random Photo: 

          My doctor's office decorated their year round tree for Shark Week this month.
  

This I know for sure...

I rarely watch sporting events on television. I do watch the Super Bowl, not because I have any interest in football, but because I like to see all the innovative commercials. In fact, I don't even pay attention to the game itself and only watch when commercials come on.

Tonight the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games will be broadcast. I'll be front and center in front of the TV. I love to watch the games, both the summer and winter versions. I try to watch as many of the events as I can. I like learning about the stories of the athletes regardless of what country they're from. The stories of how they overcame adversity and/or loss determined to live their dream of being an Olympian. I admire those athletes most. I root for them to give the best performance of their lives even if they don't win a medal.

They remind me that determination and drive will get you where you want to be no matter how hard the journey may be.

The Summer Olympics

 Are you watching the Summer Olympic Games?  I don't usually watch sports of any kind on TV, but I always find myself watching as many of the Olympic competitions as I can.  Of course I root for the American athletes but I find myself rooting for the athletes who have overcome obstacles to just make it to the games.  I find them so inspiring.

Saturday night an Irish gymnast was profiled during the games.  He is only the second Irish male gymnast to ever go to the Olympic Games to represent his country.  He suffered numerous injuries from a concussion, torn ACLs, torn achillies tendon, a broken leg and more over the years.  He also didn't have the monetary backing that most of the athletes he was competing against have.  He had to finance his dream with bake sales, raffles, and other money raising events. Even though he knew he didn't have a chance to medal, he took to the mat and did his floor exercise to the best of his ability and was thrilled with his performance despite a few bobbles here and there.  I found myself so inspired by his drive and dedication and his attitude.

How many of us do something other than write when we have time we could devote to writing our manuscripts or working on our craft?  How dedicated and determined do we remain when we receive rejections or bad reviews? How many of us get down on ourselves because our sales aren't where we'd like them to be, or because we aren't on this or that best seller list, or don't publish with the big 6 in NYC?  Do you keep writing, keep trying day after day?

I know there are days when I'd rather do anything than sit in front of the laptop and pour my heart and soul into my characters when I'm not certain they will find readers who will love them like I do.  I know that after I've had a rough day at work, the last thing I want to do is come home and work at my second job as a writer.  Yet, when I think of that gymnast and all the setbacks he suffered and he still didn't give up on his dream of making it to the Olympics, it helps me put things into perspective and my fingers back on the keyboard.