Category Archives: Flow of Life

April 2, 2011 · 11:58 pm

Resting Body and Mind

I just got a recharge on my imagination battery. I went for a little get-away with my husband, who refused to let me talk about work. But to me, work isn’t really work. (well, maybe the editing part is) But I love writing, so it never feels like work. I found myself missing my computer, my office, and my writing music. My imagination was only let loose at night while I wasn’t busy.

By the time I got back I had all this want to type away stored up. And I’m enjoying it all the way. I always have heard how good it is for you to take a break, but to completely remove yourself from your beloved computer will build up your drive like crazy! At least for me it did.

So if you’re stuck, take a break. A real break. Don’t allow yourself into your office or near your computer for a set time, or day, or days. It’s the way the human mind works- you always want what you can’t have!

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Filed under Flow of Life, The Writing World

March 16, 2011 · 7:50 pm

Crisis in Japan

It’s hard to know what to what to focus on when it comes to the continuing disaster in Japan. Earthquakes rocked the island causing the Tsunami which in turn has caused the melt down of three, possibly four nuclear reactors. There are more than 10,ooo people dead or missing. Food and water is scarce. And the radiation blows where ever the wind will take it.

But, there is no looting in Japan. Their respect and honor, even in such desperate times, is admirable. Blood donations are also on a rise, as well as several countries banding together to aid Japan.

I almost exclusively watch Japanese shows. I watch them the day they come out over the internet. But this week is different. As of Monday, as expected, my favorite shows were not released. My heart pours out for the faces and voices I am so familiar with from Japan.

If you would like to know more about the current state of the country I suggest: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news.html. This link is for the Japan Times. It is news straight from the country, so you have the least amount of “lost in translation” as you can. That’s not to say the reporter may or may not sugar coat events.

Please pray for the Japanese people. And if you would like to donate to the disaster here is a good link: https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/site/c.tvI3IeNUJsE/b.5760419/k.2CB3/Donate_Now/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=tvI3IeNUJsE&b=5760419&en=9iJHKUMzH8KQK4MCL7LMK6OTJsJZK9PPKgJNI2OMJiJNI7NYF. This is for the Salvation Army. While many organizations are collecting money for support, Japan has been turning them away. The Salvation Army, however, is one that has been allowed through to “ground zero.” There are three teams at work in the disaster area. Two are handing out food and water, while the third is focusing on relocating the survivors. On this site you can pick a set amount to donate, or donate an amount you choose.

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Filed under Flow of Life, Japanese Tid-Bits

March 4, 2011 · 3:10 am

F.O.F. is Stalking Me

At first everyone believes their manuscript is awesome. We all believe our work is destined for greatness. Of course that big-name agent and publisher will want you. And they’ll shower you with money, convinced that you’re the next “big thing.” But then, there are those of us who have gotten past that initial phase. We have been brought back down to reality by the weight of all the rejections hanging on our wall (or filling our email box). This is when F. O. F. can set in. I am ashamed to admit I have caught this terrible condition.

F. O. F. Otherwise known as Fear Of Failure. Here are some trademark behaviors you might experience if you have this terrible condition:

Second guessing yourself

Constantly asking your friend- “So you liked it? You really liked it? I thought this part was boring, but you really think it’s okay?” This is where you’re trying to build up your self-esteem.

If you are pushing procrastination to it’s limit.

Re-reading your query/synopsis/ manuscript again for the 100th time, even though many friends have already helped edit and say its great.

Fear of the button. The left-click button that is hovering over “send.” You’ve come this far, but it would still be easier to turn off the computer right now than get another rejection.

I thought I had grown past F.O.F. I thought all my previous rejections had given me that diamond-tough skin all authors need to make it in the publishing business. But I was wrong. Fear Of Failure is still there, trying to hold me back. So what helps me thorough it? My writing groups. If you don’t belong to one then find one, or get some friends together. Set goals and take them seriously. When I start second-guessing myself they lift me up. When I start asking them if my manuscript’s really okay they say “Yes, you idiot. Get it out there, you’re wasting time!” And then, when the rejections start rolling in, have a contest. See who can get the most. The loser buys ice cream for everybody, or something.

The important thing for someone suffering from F.O.F. to do is to try. If you don’t try, yes, you won’t get any rejections. But you won’t get any acceptances either. What if you lost that dream just because you didn’t push “send?” I just refuse to be that weak, and I hope all you other F.O.F. sufferers will stand up to this condition and say “No more!” Okay, maybe I’m being a little melodramatic. But you get my point.

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Filed under Flow of Life, The Writing World

January 31, 2011 · 5:18 pm

Can’t Finish My Little Breakfast

I”ve been staring at the other half of my beloved bagel; but my body says “No more.” Wrapped in a blanket in front of my monitor, I sit coughing on the keys. As a matter-of-fact you might want to wipe down your own keyboard, just incase this bug has traveled though the spindly filaments of the web to your fingers. Maybe some more herbal tea will help…

Seriously, though I work from home (mostly) I still need to work when I’m sick. Just like everyone else. I have a goal and if I don’t reach it The Jar of Shame looms in the back of my mind. What is this Jar that grips me in such fear? It’s the rainbow tissue-papered jar with frills and lace that demands a dollar if I don’t meet my goals.

“A dollar?” You might say. “That’s all?” Well, yeah. But the smiling faces of my friends as I put that dollar in are more of the deterrent. You see, The Jar of Shame lives at Sassy Scribes, my beloved critique group. At the end of each meeting we set a goal, and if we don’t meet even a tiny part of that goal we must deposit the dollar. And my goal this month? Well, lets just say it’s a little lofty. But if I make it, I feel I will have moved forward a little more, instead of letting this cold hold me down. No, irritating chest cough, you will not win this time! *Gulping down more herbal tea.*

Have a great Monday.

What’s on the Floor?

Hi! It’s Monday and that means it’s the Flow of Life entry for today. I wish I could say there was some deep, poetic meaning behind the title; What’s on the Floor? Alas, it means just what it says. One would hope only carpeting, rugs or the fine sheen of hardwood would stare up at you from beneath your feet. But for me? No such luck. This weekend there were two things that made me growl in frustration. And those things were liquids, to be exact.

The first to grace the bottoms of our tender feet was pancake syrup. Yes. Syrup. At least it was in the kitchen this time, and not the carpets. My daughter and I found three scattered bowls that held the remainder of the contents that didn’t coat the linoleum. A little time on our hands and knees fixed that up pretty quick. The next was a brand new, opened only once, bottle of vegetable oil. “I’ll clean it up!” My daughter volunteers happily. That is, until she jumps onto the middle of the floor, goes sailing several feet, and lands on her backside after catching some almost-comical air. She made quite the “crash” as she slid into the cupboards.

Who could have done this? Do I have magical trolls, or a ghost haunting my kitchen? No. That would be my two totally adorable boys. Though neither of them are of toddler age, they both have the mind-set of one. They have both been diagnosed with PDD, a form of severe autism. Every day is an adventure with these two! And I’m sure their antics will grace the monday page often!

It’s About Time

I’m author Shelley Martin, and friends in the writing world have been telling me to get a blog for a while now. “But I have nothing to say,” I’ve been telling myself. Actually, I have quite a bit to say. It’s just my husband that usually gets an earful of it every night! Poor guy.

This site is dedicated to all things paranormal, either on the fiction pages or as happens in everyday life. There’s that saying- “Life is stranger than fiction.” That’s one of the things I want to share. Why? Because I’ve had my fair share of “fictional moments” in my otherwise normal life.

Also I’ll touch on other favorite things such as Japanese culture (that includes anime) , the flow of life, and writing in general. Thanks for hopping on this wagon ride with me. Hope it’s a fun time!

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