Competitive Writing and other conundrums…

I have been thinking about competitive writing and wondering if it is something I should entertain. You have the NANOWRIMO competition every year and it seems like thousands of other small contests. What started this pattern of thought was the advertisement that I received for the Writers Digest Competition. They service my genre and if I were to win it would mean a trip to NYC as well as meetings with agents or editors. Now, I am not sure if I even write that well, but the thought of throwing my hat in the pool gives me goose bumps and makes my spine tingle. 

However, my conundrum is that while I started out as a children’s author, I feel that my genre is changing to a more adult oriented one. Can I successfully work with both? Do I want to work with both? What if I overwhelm myself to the point that I wind up royally blocked…again?

I guess that it’s time for me to look at priorities and not stress about what genre I am writing in for the time being. Right now, I seem to be doing a good job moving between both and as long as I feel that I am creating something that I am happy with, then no worries.

Only time will tell, but I feel that with time what comes more naturally will flow out of me. It will be organic, free and from my heart. Maybe I have already found the answer to my own conundrum.

The Mind Of A Child

It’s hard getting into the mind of a child or a child like state when you have the pressures of adulthood bearing down on you. Paying bills, housework, laundry, errands, volunteer works, etc., can take away your “childish brain”.

The thing is, I have a child. An eight year-old son to be exact. He thinks and speaks like a 3o year old. I am amazed at his thought process. When you sit down to have a conversation with him, it’s not like you speaking to a child, but a miniature version of my husband.  When he started speaking, it was purely conversational and has always been a little weird. Yet he is the light of my life and wouldn’t have him any other way.

However, when you write for children, you must think like a child…or at least have a good idea as what and how they think. I think that was part of the issues causing my block. Immersing myself into a childlike state. I had to grow up fast when I was young and have no memory from ages 6-10. The only ones I have are the memories of elementary school and during the school day. I think it was my parents relationship and the abuse that occurred in it which has that time frame in my mind’s history blocked. *shrugs* Something to discuss with my therapist tomorrow. 

So, that is where I am. Finding my inner child and wanting to live in childhood again…if only in my writing.

My sincerest apologies

What can I say? I needed a break. The urge to write has just not been there. However, I can feel it. It’s a buzzy feeling. One of tingling sensations that make my fingers itch and make me want to sit here and pour my heart out onto paper again. I can feel my creativity starting to stir.

It’s a marvelous feeling. 

To those who have been kind enough to inquire as to when I am coming back? Now seems like a good time. I am just going to write. There are no worries about publishing right now. This is a time to hone my craft. I am taking an English class this semester as a refresher and to help boost my creativity. I am also thinking of taking a class from the Gotham Writers.

Thank you for bearing with me and not forgetting me.

Much love, peace and happiness in the New Year and my wishes for everyone to have the gentle flow of creativity pour from their fingertips.

Lisa