Ish Happens...

Greetings, All!

Can you believe it has been almost 4 years since we spoke last? Where did the time go? (Seriously, Raychelle. Where have you been?)

The easy answer is that life happened -- in a big way. We writers have to keep a day job, right? More specifically, I went to work in the sales and marketing department for a nationwide home builder. I managed and wrote copy for their website, created and executed social media campaigns, and worked with prospective buyers among a host of other things. Gratefully, that tour of duty ended in March (more on that later). However, I am really proud of the work I did over there and I learned a bunch.

On a personal level, I got divorced, moved to Katy, and homeschooled Halima through high school and SAT's. Life is a lot simpler now since we downsized and have since moved on from the drama. I can feel my feet on the ground again and I am just trying to figure out my next moves.

Hopefully you will get/stay tuned into this space as I have some cool projects in the making that I would love to share with you all! At some point, I plan to resurrect "The Writer's Block", do some book reviews and editing, etc. For now, I just gotta do me.

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

Welcoming Unwelcomed Interruptions

Another week has whizzed on by that was certainly not without its own twists and turns. Thankfully, each bump in the road was an opportunity for me to be innovative about solving problems. If I have learned nothing else about unexpected events, I know that they happen for very important reasons. Each time I have had to shift gears, I have landed in a better place than I would have if I had followed my original plans. It's all good. I liken these experiences to riding a roller coaster. The dips only become more terrifying when you resist. Sometimes it is better to just throw your hands up in the air and lean into life's twists and turns. The worst of it will be over before you know it and, in hindsight, you will appreciate the thrill of the ride--and the fact that you survived.

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

And Still I WRITE...

Yesterday was a particularly challenging day. There were moments when I was sure that I was in the Twilight Zone. For the last few days, actually, I have watched people's chests inflate with arrogance as they defended their very obvious blunders. I've witnessed the complete collapse of a giant's confidence. I've read emails (from those who asked for my opinion) telling me why my feedback was wrong. I discovered that being dignified and having self-respect is the exception rather than the rule. I was reminded that some people have an uncanny ability to rewrite history. I've learned that some people never pass on an opportunity to say, "I told you so", while others take great delight in the misfortune of others. I found out that Jealousy has two legs and walks upright and that Gall could care less about how you feel. Advice is not a "one-size-fits-all"  article of clothing. Liars are really Cowards in costume, and Respect has left the building.

For some of these occurrences I was just an innocent passer-by, but I experienced the rest firsthand. I appreciate these real-life moments because they draw my muse out of the dark corner it sometimes hides in and forces me to write. There is a line from "The Five Heartbeats" which said something like (paraphrasing), "In order for one to become a great writer, he must suffer more."

So, I encourage you to embrace life's rough stuff. Just like comedians use the things they go through as material in their acts, we should all do the same. It is cathartic to laugh so that you don't curl up in a fetal position and cry. Think of the dynamic characters that you could create who actually solve the very problems that plague you. Think of the people you could help by sharing your story. Imagine how much better you will feel once you get all of that hurt and angst out on paper.

I just did it. Not only do I feel better already, but I squeezed today's blog post out of all that drama to boot!

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...