With a Heavy Heart......

In a post dedicated to a very special soul, I must regret mentioning the passing of Li Williams. Ms. Williams was the proprietor of Burgundy Books in Westbrook, CT and the location of my very first book signing. Ms. Williams was very dear and special to me. She was kind, thoughtful and very supportive of my endeavors. She never hesitated to encourage and push me and she always did so in the most endearing way. She will be sorely missed for a very long time and my love and prayers got out to her family. C.C.W., I am and will always be here for you my dear, my friend.

It's been too long!!!!

There has been so much going on, not the least of which is this pandemic which has affected so many lives. I, like many other, have lost close and dear ones to this virus. While I am still amazed at the lack of seriousness so many attribute to our current situation I am certainly hopeful that things are about to turn the corner in terms of recovery. In the meantime, I am behind. There have been so many "life happens" things that have gotten in the way that it has pushed me way behind schedule. But hopefully, I will be able to get back on track so I can get to where I need to be.

Sometimes, during difficult times, it's a challenge to be focused. There are so many other things to look after and do, it can be difficult to find time for one's passion. It's been a struggle for me as of late. It hasn't been a lack of motivation nor inspiration. Just finding the right time to devote to that which I love. And, unfortunately, time isn't something that we can get back. But, I remain hopeful. There is much to do, but if I keep pushing and stay prayerful, things will open up and I will be able to forge forward.

Raising Expectations

For me, it's very important to keep raising the bar. I have no desire to maintain the status quo. The only way to get better, the only way to keep striving, the only to push myself beyond my current limits is to raise my expectations and to never settle. There is so much that I want to accomplish and it is not possible for it to get done on it's own. I need to do it, it must come from me. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

Progress

Progress is all about consistency and effort. It doesn't mean that you will always accomplish what you set out to do. It may even mean changing direction or taking a step back. But, with consistency and effort every step you take, every move you make, every word you write, note you sing or stroke you paint will bring you closer to your goal--then end product. No matter how small, every little bit counts and is considered progress. Stay safe.

I have been asked to describe what the "writing process" is like. And while I could probably write a dissertation about what the writing process is like for me, I won't go that far5 because I have come to understand that the writing process is different and unique for every individual. Some writers come up with titles when they come up with ideas. Other writers almost never come up with titles and need assistance in finding one. Some writers write free hand from beginning to end, others may need a typewriter, while others may use a Dictaphone for their assistants to type. Some writers write the ending first and then work backwards from there. Through my metamorphosis, I've been through the gamut. I started by writing long-hand, graduated to an old Brother typewriter and eventually moved to a desktop. I wrote about a third of "Mine!" on a laptop but I much more prefer a desktop. I'm at home at a desktop. Like many writers, I attach titles to my stories upon conception. Sometimes they change but that is rare. I also come up with a fairly complete synopsis that I jot down on my list of ideas. That way I can always conceptualize the entire story from beginning to end--almost at a moment's notice. I've been blessed with the ability to "know" my stories. It's as if I 'forsee' them and then I simply document what I'm "seeing". While I have an overall idea what each of my stories entail, when I actually begin the writing process, I make notes and descriptions of all the major characters and then I write an outline with each point representing a chapter. As I write the story, I make sure that I stay very closely to the outline, covering only the points that I have detailed so I don't get ahead of myself which I have occasion to do. As for everything else in each chapter, especially character development and the introduction of new and secondary characters, that happens naturally as the story begins to define its own identity. It's a very fluid process. Sometimes it takes correction, sometimes things change direction--and that's all right as long as the bullet points for each chapter are fulfilled. It's what makes the process magical.

Prayerfully, everyone is being careful and safe during these interesting yet trying times. Unfortunately, I have lost people very dear to me as a result of this virus and have yet others even closer who are affected. I'm earnest in trying to make the best out of this challenging situation. I am not writing as much as I'd like, working from home appears to be more exhausting than when I went into the office and the field. But, it is important that I keep my focus and still try to be productive when I can. For example, my new website is now live, AUTHORSEROBINSON.COM. I'm hoping everyone gets a chance to stop by and see what's happening over there. It provides quick links to my published works and a little bit of insight into me. We don't know how much longer this crisis will last, but please be comforted in knowing that this, too, shall pass. We simply must be diligent in dong our parts. Stay safe, be careful, take care of one another.