Market Research

It can be a pain, if you let it. I have to keep reminding myself that it is oh-so necessary :-) One more hour!! Love, Sam

Yep!

Today is a great day to embrace your life and just be happy. Why? 'Cause it's all you got- the present :-) I'm feeling great in my present, my now. I wrote four more pages of book number 2 yesterday and wrote six more this morning, bringing me to 58 pages!!! That's a quarter of the way done, as far as the creative process is concerned. This is where discipline is paramount. I've set a goal that I must reach 120 pages by December 31st. I'll make it happen. Sending goal-setting, super-happy, progressive vibes your way! Have a great day :-) Love, Sam

Rise and Shine

It seemed like I did have writer's block for many months. That was rough and truth be told my focus was way off. That's kind of expected with a new job, new man, and new responsibilities. Welp, something in me shifted and I just didn't feel right. Me without writing is a painful existence.

I missed my first love and as much as I journaled, it didn't take the place of writing novels- getting into really interesting story lines and falling in love with characters.

I was also in a rocky relationship with a literary agent. Let's just say, for the sake of grace and professionalism, that it didn't work out between us. We are over and I'm back with this novel in my hands so close to being ready for the world- on my own and without the backing of a major publishing company. I think that's exactly how I want it though. For authors today, this self-publishing/e-book revolution is lucrative, liberating, empowering, and it just makes sense with all the resources available at our finger tips.
My baby (Organic Leaves) is not perfect. It needs a good editor- found one two days ago!!- and it needs to be formatted for ebook publising- Been doing that for days!!! I might as well be an expert... lol

So things are looking up and moving right along. The new job is funding my dreams, the new man is supportive to the point of selflessly making me focus on myself, and my new responsibilities are keeping me on task. There's always going to be something I have to do, something I have to take care of- publishing my own book was always on the list, but it's become more of a priority as my three years to 30 is starting to turn into one year to 30. Where'd the time go??? Geez...

All that to say, I going to meet the goal of publishing before 30. This is a process and it does take time, but it does not have to take forever.

Love,

Sam

Writer's Block

There is a bit of blockage right now. Not sure what to do. I can pray, change locations, "sit my butt down and write," the list goes on. Working on the second book has been a little straining. It's in the first few pages and I can already tell that it is an intense story. My imagination has reached a new level with this one. But that amount of energy exuded can be taxing...comes with the territory though.

Currently, I'm in contract negotiations with a literary agent with the first book. I'm hopeful about that. That was one of my initial goals remember?? Snag an agent!! But I had changed my mind and considered e-publishing after being rejected by so many. I had my mind set on doing it all myself. Welp, things have changed and I am not complaining. I have high hopes for Organic Leaves and in the meantime, I'm going to do all of the above (pray, change locations, "sit my butt down and write,") and finish this second project.

Keep ya posted!!

Love,

Sam

Under Construction

Stay Tuned... :-)

No She Didn't!!!

Dear All,

I was talking to a close friend of mine, explaining how a 26-year-old admitted that I looked younger than her. I took that as a compliment because I could've sworn she was well over 30! So my close friend rattles off boastfully about looking "younger" though we "are on the 30 side of 20."

Wait! What??!! Who says that?! The "30 side of 20?" I never knew such a saying existed. My ears, oh gah!! No way...since when? LOL!

I'm being ultra dramatic today. There's nothing wrong with being...I hesitate...on the 30 side of 20. I think 30s are great, but it felt like I was put there before my time. Even two years- no longer three-to 30 sounds better...I think (as I nod to myself reassuringly).

Welp, this conversation that I had with my close friend was right on time...a couple days before I touch down in glorious Miami! The beautiful #305!! The main escape for me as a college kid during my matriculation at Florida A&M.

It's time to rewind the clock and be on the 20 side of 20 again!! Wet Willies, for starters (hee hee) and who knows what, to follow. I need fun in the sun and the freedom to be free! And while I write all of this, I'm starting to see a more realistic picture of me: On the beach, laptop up, writing, working on website, working on book launching plans (I'll keep you posted) and working on finances, with the ocean waves crashing as my background music...Who knows, maybe I'll get a chance to do it all!

Let's go, GIRLS!!!!

P.S. Everyone needs a break every now and again...and again ;-)

Love,

Sam

High School Reunion Ticket for One, Please?

I can honestly say that I remember thinking about my 10-year reunion my senior year in high school. I remember I was sitting at my desk in newspaper class thinking, “Okay, so I’ll be 28. Hmmmm, I suppose I’ll be married with a baby or a baby on the way. Also I should be an award-winning journalist by then. Yep!” That was the plan.

Marriage: Yeah, not even close. Married? Me? What’s that? No, I’m kidding. If you consider a re-occurring conversation, which I did NOT initiate, where “we” discussed eloping in undergrad…I guess you could consider that that’s the closest I’ve gotten. Oh, and the trying on of the rings. I can’t believe we used to do that- and were SERIOUS!! LOL!! But anywhoo, rings are fun...and pretty. I’d do it again- I don’t care.

Besides that, I’m pretty much swimming in this dating pool. I think for once in my life I’m doing the backstroke- easy, breezy, FUN, relaxing, going with the flow. Before that was easier said than done; now it is actually what I do and I’m really happy. But with that being said, there’s no ONE (not because they’re not great) I would consider asking to escort me to my reunion. From my perspective, I’d rather enjoy the “catching up” with my classmates by myself, after all, I’d know everyone there and he wouldn’t…wait, before I go further, I’d just feel more comfortable at this stage in my dating to go to my reunion alone. I’m really starting to recognize and embrace my comfort levels rather than overanalyzing why I feel or think a certain way. This how I feel and what I think…today :-)

A baby or preggers? Uhhh, no. That’s just not a want right now anyway. It was then, but when I look at my life now, one- I haven’t settled on my partner (that’s major), and two- it just doesn’t fit with my current plan. So that’s out and that’s totally okay by me.

Award-winning journalist: Journalist- yes, but not full time like I had originally planned. Award-winning- yeah, in college! LOL!! With this one though, I gave myself permission to change my mind. I’m good at what I do. I’m a writer. But my focus has changed. Funny enough, it’s changed back to what it was my freshman year of college. I remember walking on the set of FAMU at 18 thinking, “I don’t need a damn degree to write books.” Anddddd then I continued to pursue a degree in newspaper journalism, changed to elementary education, changed again to magazine production, graduated, and then went to grad school for business. What am I doing now? Working in publishing (totally my choice after NOT enjoying being a newspaper reporter in Tallahassee), freelancing as an entertainment journalist, and publishing my NOVEL #Organic Leaves this summer. I went back to my first love, and that’s all I want to do- write more books.

The Wrap Up

I surely had this picture-perfect image of myself at 28, and honestly, I’m not that woman. That is a most wonderful thing though, because I’m happy and secure when it comes to my life and the choices that I’ve made. I think a high school reunion is the perfect time to celebrate who you really are and not wallow in or dwell on who you’re not.

Love,

Sam