Write Now

It’s been a very busy few months since I’ve written and posted my last blog post. 

During this time, I have been doing promotional readings for my award-winning poetry collection Live. Love. Leo. at several small independent book stores here in Portland, Oregon. I also participated in Open Mic events, I was interviewed and recorded a video for Flying Upstream Podcast, I had a family medical emergency, and recently celebrated a birthday too 🦁. Anyway, as you can see, it’s been a busy summer.

One of the many lessons I’ve learned from this journey into literary exploration, is that when you self-publish, there is still a lot more work that needs to happen in order to get your book out into the world. When you’re inexperienced and lack re$ource$ for marketing or have the knowledge to make things happen seamlessly, you become susceptible to scams by those who prey on that inexperience (I got scammed, a story for another time). There is a lot of marketing and self-promoting you have to do yourself, unless you can hire a trusted person to do it for you. Honestly, it’s been like having another full time job. One where I don’t get paid, sort of, to do the work needed to keep things moving. Okay, there is payment, in the form of the energy and praise I receive from folks when they come to my readings or when someone buys a book. At this point in my life, It’s been a labor of love and the experience itself has been rewarding knowing that I was able to bring my thoughts to the physical page. 

At my book readings, I’m often asked about my writing process. I think that each writers’ process is as unique as the individual who is doing the writing. Some writers have a more ritualistic approach when it comes to their “process”. They must write at a certain time of the day, in a particular location, and even with a certain pen. I really don’t have a traditional process or practice I adhere to when I’m writing. I tend to write in the mornings and while I’m at the gym on the stationary bike. I know how crazy that sounds, but this is usually how I can get writing done and burn off calories and frustrations at the same time.

I use what is called swipe writing when I am using my (Android) mobile phone. I’ve never been fond of the standard thumb or finger pecking method of composing messages. I can usually write faster this way when writing topics and ideas pop into my head which happens all the time. When I’m at home, I usually write in the evenings after work. I like to park myself at the raised counter with a beverage or two in our open kitchen so that I can peripherally watch a little television in the living room and engage with Eric if he asks anything. Most of the time he recognizes what I’m doing and leaves me to it. The Hubster is also the in- house editor for most things that I write. I like to have him preview my work before it goes public to make sure things make sense. 

Part of my issue is the abundance of things I want to write about. My head is filled with topics ranging from feelings of an Apocalyptic end of days to the rise of a Zealot mentality in the United States. On top of that, I am still writing new poetry, and dabbling with the idea of what my next writing project will be. Do I write another collection of poetry? Do I write a memoir? If so, what timeframe should I choose about my life that would be the most interesting and entertaining to share? Or, do I attempt to do something that may be a combination of a few of these ideas. I always have a multitude of ideas racing in my head for first place. It’s ideas that sit and linger for a while, are the ones that usually become the focus of my writing. 

One of the hardest parts about writing for me, is finding the time that I can dedicate to myself (other than the gym) so I can relax my mind enough and to write. This summer has been filled with plenty of wonderful distractions in the form of spending time with the hubster, festive gatherings, dinners with our awesome neighbors, and being invited for boating adventures on the Willamette and Columbia rivers. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we are extremely lucky to have lots of things to do outside. From the Portland Sunday Parkways (shout out to Alyssa M and crew), Portland Pride, Art in the Pearl, and the list goes on with activities here. I want to be present and enjoy the season, taking advantage of the great weather and gatherings that happen during this time of year. When the winter rains come to Portland, there are fewer activities and it seems like everyone stays inside hibernating until spring. 

Writing allows me to sort out  thoughts and ideas that I want and need to process, but on more of a public scale. I also don’t always publish everything I write. I do keep things for myself too as a reminder or  a written snapshot of the moment. For me, I would say that writing is part recreation, part therapy, and part conversation starter. The reasons vary with writers, almost as much as their process. 

During the pandemic, writing became a tool to help keep me mentally grounded. I previously noted that I have an abundance of thoughts and writing topics in my head. In 2020, because there was so little valid and creditable information available about the Covid-19 virus, my thoughts were all over the place with conspiracy theories flowing from the various media streams. My little peanut head, as my sisters would say, was working overtime to process what was happening, even as I slept. I would have horrifically vivid dreams that would have me waking in screams. The Hubster was a trooper having to endure my slumbered torture which made for several sleepless nights. With most businesses closed, Zoom and other online meeting forums really found their footing in this current social landscape. In fact, former Portland publisher, Janna Lopez, was hosting a free online writing class “Unearth Your Stories” to help build community for those who attended. Once I began writing with Lopez’s class, my nightmares ceased. This experience gave me purpose and set me on a path as a writer, something that I never considered before. Which was weird since I’ve had things published in HuffPost years ago, I still never considered myself as a writer. Thank you Janna for helping me see through the fog of self-doubt. 

I’ve often said that we all have stories within ourselves. For the writers in mind; those who only think about or say they’ll write someday, what’s holding you back? I don’t mean to be morbid, but if you wait too long, that chapter of your life may close for good (Did you see what I did there?). 

Your story or words may inspire someone to do a good deed, become a movie or screenplay one day, or even save someone’s life! Time doesn’t wait for anyone. Why not write now 😀?