Posted by: tiffanyemerson | July 25, 2010

Thought of the Day-Don’t give up what you really want to do.

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”  by Ella Fitzgerald

When I ran across this quote, it struck a chord with me.  It seems like I have been writing a lot this year and not going very far.  I think I had re-written the first chapter of my current WIP way too many times and I have thought about giving up.  But I haven’t because writing is what I really want to do.  I love taking a nugget of an idea and shaping it  into a story.

I have worked pass the issues with Chapter 1, which were really about how does the hero/heroine meet and what is their conflict.  I might not have the best Chapter 1 and will have to re-work it once I finish but I have found my conflict and how I can move that through the entire story not just chapter 1.   

So with a good outline of external and internal conflict I move forward.  Because I love writing and putting the stories that have been running in my head for years to paper.  My WIP is shaping up nicely and I am glad I didn’t give up earlier on this story.

Doing what you love, doesn’t mean it’s easy  or it comes naturally.   With hard work, inspiration, a desire to succeed  and the joy of loving what I am doing;  I will not give up.   I am writing, and I will edit, rewrite, submit to  editors and agents and then start my next WIP.   Because loving what you do is the best thing for you and the  journey is what defines you.

What does the quote mean to you?

Tiffany Lyn

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Posted by: tiffanyemerson | July 6, 2010

Thoughts for Tuesday July 6th

Everyday I receive motivational thoughts via email and some days they inspire or motivate me other days they just make me smile or take a pause.  I thought I would share some of these thought here and how I feel when I read them.

Today’s thought……”Success in any endeavor does not happen by accident. Rather, it’s the result of deliberate decisions, conscious effort, and immense persistence — all directed at specific goals.” ~Gary Ryan Blair

After I finished reading this quote, it made me think about my writing  journey.  I need to make deliberate decisions and efforts to have a successful writing career.  To me that means writing needs to become part of my daily life.   Just like adding exercise to my daily life, I need to schedule and make writing the same priority for my health and well-being.   This year I have done well at adding both and I could be better at making writing part of my daily life.

I still have a lot to learn about my craft;  so writing daily and completing manuscripts will hone my skills.    Not only will writing daily improve my skill over time but it will also give me the discipline I will need when I publish.   Dreaming about writing will not lead to my dream coming true, nope only hard work and deliberate decisions and efforts will make that dream a reality.  

So this quote validates my goals for this year, make writing a part of my daily life and with hard work and deliberate action I will accomplish my goal of becoming a publish author.

After reading this quote how did you apply this to yourself or others around you?

Tiffany Lyn

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Posted by: tiffanyemerson | April 17, 2010

Gym Week 1

I joined a Gym April 8th, one of my goals for 2010 is to be healthier and since walking my dog doesn’t really produce sweat, I needed to take things up a notch.  It’s not a fancy gym, but it has flexible hours and is close to my home.   The other plus is a good friend of mine is also a member and we have an exercise pact for the next 180 days with great rewards to incent us to make this part of our day-to-day lifestyle.   We are going to both work out 5 days a week, three of those days together. 

When I signed up I purchased some trainer sessions and my friend also has some, so we are seeing the trainer 30 minutes a time at least 1 to 2 times a week.   Monday, April 12th was our first day, so 10 minutes of cardio warm up, then 30 minutes of strength training and finally finish off with 20 to 30 minutes of cardio. 

 I was all pumped and felt great after the first 10 minutes of cardio and then the strength training with the trainer, after 5 minutes of doing squats and these leg press things, I was like what am I thinking.   Then we moved over to the arm press machine and then vertical push up downs and 15 jumping jacks.   I thought I was going to barf, I am is such bad shape.  We finished off with some lunges and then some curls and bicep back things.   I worked up a sweat and my legs and arms were tingling and burning.  

The week progressed with day 2, day 3 and then day 4 at the gym.  I did a mile in 20 minutes on the tread, my goal is to get to 15 min mile.  Today was day 4 and we worked out with the trainer.  It was pretty intense and one of my goals is to not only get really good with the work out but remember the names of each thing.  Anyway, about 1/2 through I started to feel like I was going to barf again, those inverted push down things get me I think.  Anyway, I excused myself to the restroom and actually did throw up.  I felt tons better afterwards.  New goal, not to even feel like barfing., let alone have it actually happen.  I am going to make my trainer feel bad.

So tomorrow is day 5, cardio day…. then Monday kicks off a new week.   It’s really hard and each day I feel better and I know after more practice and working at it I will be do better at executing the exercises.  Sometimes I feel like I am going to fall over, I am not only out of shape but have no sense of balance and I am klutz. 

So what is your work out process and do you remember your first time exercising?

Tiffany

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Posted in Goals, Heathly Life

Posted by: tiffanyemerson | March 28, 2010

Writing and Spring

So March is almost over and spring is in the air.  I just prepared my garden with some new dirt and stirred everything up so that when my little seedlings are ready I can plant some veggies (tomatoes, peas, corn and lettuce) and sunflowers to intermix between everything.  Just a little bit of sun and water and in several months I will have my bounty.  It seems so easy and yet I know that it is not.  All things in life take time and patience and growing a garden is the same as growing as a person.  You must feed and tend to yourself in order to become the you that you are meant to be.

 I have been reflecting the last couple of weeks and I have realized  I need to focus on tending my own internal garden and being kinder with myself.  I have these goals that I want to achieve and by putting them out there I also come up with all the reasons why I won’t succeed.  So I then don’t succeed at my goals and beat myself up, year after year.   I am starting to see the cycle, sometimes it takes some time for me to learn.  

So as we bring in April , I will write and focus on being healthy.  Practice is the key to success, so by sitting in the chair and writing daily I will become a better writer. Eating healthy and exercising I will become a healthier person.  Again it will take lots of practice and patience and time.  My garden will not be ready to enjoy until July so I will tend it so that I can enjoy it once it is ready.  I don’t know when my writing will be ready to be published but I will tend it and enjoy the process until that time comes.

In today’s world everything is about instant gratification and we lose sight that it takes a lot of hard work and patience to become good at  something.  From today until the end of the month(April) my focus is practicing taking care of me and being patient.  It’s not about being a skinnier person or being a published writer.  It is about learning the process and practicing those skills so that someday I will be ready to become a published author and a healthier person not just a size. 

I will just write to learn nothing more nothing less, then I will see where I will land.  I will walk and exercise so that my body will learn and become stronger.  I will just do and be and enjoy the journey and come July enjoy my homegrown veggies and flowers.

Tiffany

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Posted in Goals, Heathly Life

Posted by: tiffanyemerson | March 14, 2010

Writing Zone

The last couple of weeks it seems my desk area has been a dumping zone and turned into a pile of paper.  I took an hour out of my day yesterday to organize my space and now I feel like I can re-focus on my writing.  Even though I have been working at it, I felt cramped and uncomfortable because of the pile.  Also, an added benefit  I can now safely light my candles.  I am spending the  rest of this afternoon in the zone working on my current WIP.   My I-pod is playing my writing mix that I have selected for this book currently playing…Somewhere over the rainbow performed by Israel Kamakawiwo’ele somewhere over the Rainbow.  This song reminds me of Hawaii and since my book is taking place there it helps get me in the zone, along with photo’s that I have of beaches and the Captain Cook monument.  I also have books and maps to help me as I add locations to my WIP.

I think have fleshed out some of the GMC issues I have been having and I am losing my opening chapter, paragraph.  I really felt it had a great hook but the starting place was too soon and pushed me too soon into  my turning point for the first act.  Still figuring out some of the internal conflict; external conflict I have figured out so I just have to connect that all together. 

I feel refreshed now and I can keep my storing going.  I am behind on my original goal, so I have adjusted and targeting to have 10 chapters completed by April 15th.     I will keep you posted.

What do you do to help you get into the zone for writing or other tasks?

Tiffany

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Posted in Writers World

Posted by: tiffanyemerson | March 7, 2010

Three Months into the new Year

So it’s three months into the new year and how are my goals going?  I would say so far not great, since I should be blogging twice a week.   I have been making some dents and most importantly I am writing and working towards completing my first book.  It’s not going as fast as I would like but it is moving along.   It’s about little steps towards the right direction of changing or adding new habits.

My 2010 goals are the following:

  • Complete 1st book
  • Become Pro with RWA
  • Go to RWA National Conference
  • Pitch my book to an editor or agent
  • Lose 25 pounds
  • Start 2nd book
  • Blog twice a week

So how am I doing on my first milestones to hit my goals?     

Complete 1st Book-By May 15th-(Reward-new sandals for conference)

  • Write daily- minimum 500 words a day-15,000 a month– Not hitting that many a day  or a month but I am in the chair working on my book a couple of days a week… so just keep adding and focusing.  I think I have worked through some solid blocks around internal conflict. Next steps below once I complete the writing 2 months to finish this puppy.
  • Edit First Book
  • Write synopsis for First Book
  • Write Query Letter for first book
  • Enter book in a contest
  • Send off to a Harlequin or an agent

Become Pro with RWA- June 2010 (Reward new outfit for conference)- Need to finish that book

  • Send off documentation for completed Book
  • Attend conference as a Pro

Attend RWA National Conference- July 2010 (Reward attending conference)-I registered  i Feb. so I accomplished this one, I knew it would be an easy one, next is attending.

Pitch my book to an editor or agent- July 2010 (Need to check on the RWA site when I can do that one.)

  • Book Editor/Agent appointment at conference
  • Research for best fits for book and self
  • Locate other events to meet with editors or agents (entered a raffle to pitch with an Agent yesterday, but didn’t win. )
  • submit/mail to possible editor/agents

 Lose 25 pounds by December 31, 2010 (4 pounds per month) by walking daily, eliminating fast food on weekdays and using my Wii fit three times a week. -Not doing great but I am walking more and I have reduced fast food.

Start 2nd book by June 1st, 2010 and complete by December 31st  (have synopsis done so you can pitch also at conference)

Blog twice a week- not good start on this one, but I have been using facing book more, so need to refocus here as well. 

The best way to accomplish a goal is to keep it in front of you and measure your results, time to get focused so I can hit this goal in 2010.  Okay, so that means blogging twice a week.   Little steps and move forward.

Tiffany Lyn

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Posted by: tiffanyemerson | January 6, 2010

Middle of the Week

Can’t wait for the weekend, it’s tough getting back into the grove after the holidays and time off from work.    Wish it was Friday already.   

So as part of my goals this year and forever is to start having a more healthy life, so fast food is on the list.    Monday through Friday is worst , in a hurry hit the drive thru for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner sometimes 3 times a week.   I quite Starbucks last year and replaced it with a $1 unsweetened tea at McDonald’s, which was good but those Sausage McMuffins started to call me.  So kicked the new year off with a pitcher of homemade ice tea, supply of hot tea bags and a jug of water with fresh-cut lemon (from our tree).  So far I have made my breakfast everyday and no McD’s and drinking my own beverages.  Change is hard and I am focusing on one new habit each month so it will be manageable.   This month it’s all about healthy  breakfast choices and habits to support my weight loss goal of 25 pounds. 

Exercise is part of the goal and with our home improvement project last year Sierra didn’t get her normal walks in every night. Of course hubby did a lot of those walks.  So for January my goal is to get three in a week to slowly add that to the process and use the Wii fit weekly.  So my week ends Sunday so I guess tomorrow Sierra’s going to get that walk. :)

How are your goals coming and the first week of the new year?

Tiffany Lyn

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Posted in Goals, Healthy Life

Posted by: tiffanyemerson | January 3, 2010

Writing Today

I have spent most of the afternoon working on my current WIP which is based in Hawaii.  Since I tend to start off strong and then get lost about a 1/4 of the way through I decided to tackle this effort differently. I am using a book I bought about a year ago, “Book in a Month” by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D and I am going to follow it step by step.  Might not be the right approach for me in the long run but I want to finish my first book and since I have started and stopped on about 4 different stories I thought this might help. 

So I have written 627 words, have done a one-sentence story Summary and taking all my notes and things for this book that I have collected in 2009 and organizing in a Story Idea Map. 

I really like the opening and the new angle I am taking with this book.  So here’s to keeping in the chair, not editing just writing and not looking back.  Even though the dialogue is forced, I can go back and fix it.  As other authors have eloquently said you can’t edit a blank page.  So no stressing about if it is any good or which publisher will want it and how will I pay the bills if I get published, just writing. 

So goal for this month is 15,0000 words and following the book (BIAM).  Strapping into the chair, hanging on and making it happen.

What has helped you tackle a project that you wanted to complete?

Tiffany Lyn

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Posted in Writers World

Posted by: tiffanyemerson | January 1, 2010

Happy New Year!!!

Hello 2010!

So far I have kicked off the new year with a walk over at a local park.  It is beautiful today in the SF East Bay, cloudy but no wind it felt great to be out walking along the lake.  It has been about 5 months since I took a walk, not since the Avon 2 day walk in early July. 

The Avon walk was an amazing experience and while I didn’t complete all 39 1/2 miles I made a positive effort and learned a lot about myself in the process.  Also, I walked across the Golden Gate bridge, that was pretty amazing.

So today my hubby, Sierra our dog and I walked about 3 miles and was a great way to kick off my 2010 goals.  Now we going to go relax in our hot tub, take in a movie and then dinner.

How did you ring in your New Year?

Tiffany Lyn

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Posted by: tiffanyemerson | December 31, 2009

2010 Goals

It is hard to believe that today is December 31st, 2009 and we are about to enter a new decade.  As I sit here I realize I did not make all my goals from 2009, one of which is setting up my author site.   So with hours left of 2009 I created this site so I can start off the new year with a website/blog.  A place to come to share about my writing and life in general. 

My 2010 goals are the following:

  • Complete 1st book
  • Become Pro with RWA
  • Go to RWA National Conference
  • Pitch my book to an editor or agent
  • Lose 25 pounds
  • Start 2nd book
  • Blog twice a week

So this year I need to take my goals a step further and make measurable milestones in order to achieve them with rewards.  Some of my goals feed each other but that is okay.  This year is going to be different though because in 2006 to 2008 I let my job consume my life, then last year I trained for the Avon Walk, which was a great experience but 39 1/2 miles in two days needs lots of training and time away from the chair.  The later part of 2009 my husband and I spent every free moment putting our house back together after we had some major damage done from our fire sprinkler pipe leaking.  So no more distractions allowed, the house is put back together and I have a great new desk to write on.   

Complete 1st Book-By May 15th-(Reward-new sandals for conference)

  • Write daily- minumum 500 words a day-15,000 a month-
  • Edit First Book
  • Write Synposis for First Book
  • Write Query Letter for first book
  • Enter book in a contest
  • Send off to a Harlequin or an agent

Become Pro with RWA- June 2010 (Reward new outfit for conference)

  • Send off documenation for completed Book
  • Attend conference as a Pro

Attend RWA National Conference- July 2010 (Reward attending conference)

Okay this is an easy one, book hotel and flight and request time off from work.  Already have the free Southwest ticket to fly to the conference, one good thing about previously mentioned damage, we used our Southwest credit card so we could get points for free tickets.

Pitch my book to an editor or agent- July 2010

  • Book Editor/Agent appointment at conference
  • Research for best fits for book and self
  • Locate other events to meet with editors or agents
  • Submitt/mail to possible editor/agents

 Lose 25 pounds by December 31, 2010 (4 pounds per month) by walking daily, elminating fastfood on weekdays and using my Wii fit three times a week.

Start 2nd book by June 1st, 2010 and complete by December 31st  (have synposis done so you can pitch also at conference)

Blog twice a week

I will update this blog on the status of my goals, look out 2010 here I come.

Tiffany Lyn

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