How did I get here and why do I keep going?

How did I get here and why do I keep going?
It’s an interesting question and one I’m not sure I can answer well. You see I don’t know how I got here. Well I know how I got here, there’s my mum and my dad, and well you get the picture. I’m talking about how I became a writer and I’ll be honest, I haven’t got a clue. I’ve always done it. Whether stories, poetry or just random thoughts, I’ve always written. Now the question of how I decided that’s what I’d be when I grew up is confusing. I don’t recall making the decision, ever. But here I am tapping away at the keys of my computer and writing with pen and paper. Always. And if I’m not writing I’m thinking about writing. I’m always thinking. That explains why I don’t sleep very well and why I’m always tired, so why am I still here and why do I keep going? I guess it comes back to the always writing and thinking. At the risk of sounding insane, there are just too many people in my head. They’ve got to come out or I’ll be pulling out my hair and heading for the alcohol. I can be doing anything when scenes start rolling in my head, that’s what it’s like, I’ll suddenly have front row seats to someone else’s life. I don’t plan; in fact when I try to plan those pesky characters never go along with me. I’m sure they do it on purpose. I guess the answer to why I’m still here is that I can’t not be here. It’s who I am and what I do and whether it ever leads me to publication remains to be seen but even if it doesn’t I’ll still be here. Writing. And even when life throws things at me that make me want to quit I know I’d never be able to because I’ll never be able to stop writing. I stopped for years when the kids were young and as soon as I started again it was like an avalanche, pouring out of me. Most of it was crap and will never find its way out of the bottom draw but it was the beginning of what was to be my trip down the publication road. The road is bumpy, has detours, potholes and all sorts of debris lying on it but I keep going. Through rain, hail, sleet and snow, and of course the wonderful sunshine. Even when I feel like I’m carrying the weight of the world and dragging my feet I keep going because no matter what gets in the way or what I have to carry with me the dream is always there. And without that dream I wouldn’t be me.

Keep you dreams alive. They're who you are.

Rachel C

I've been quiet.

Aren't you shocked? I know, you've been hanging out to see what's going on. Well, not much. No I lie. I've been so busy with end of month at FAR, reading the books for the competition and trying to fit in writing that I'm in need of oxygen. So for FAR I've done three reviews and umpteen pre-edits. I've read and judged three books. Plus I've managed to get 1,372 words written on Flash Point. I know not much writing but I only managed two hours. Remember everything I've just mentioned has happened since last Thursday morning, I think I've done rather well considering.
Once April is here I'll have all the competition books read and judged so that will free up some time for some personal reading. You know I sometimes wish I had more time to read without have to write a review or fill out a score sheet but then I remember what I'm like when I'm just reading for myself and I know it's a good thing I've got something to slow me down. I know I can get a bit obsessive.
I'm planning on some time down by the pool with a good book and maybe a drink once April arrives. Sure I'll still have FAR books to review but I don't have to do them every day, I can just do two a week. That should give me time for writing and personal reading. My TBR (to be read) pile is almost at the ceiling! Well not really, I've got about twenty e-books on the PC but then there's about 80 paperbacks to get through. sigh There really does need to be more hours in the day.
Don't forget to pop over to my other blog at http://www.rachelcharlton.wordpress.com/ to see what's over there.

Too many books, not enough time. Or money!

Rachel C

On a high.

First, don't forget to visit me here:- www.rachelcharlton.wordpress.com
I'm still really excited about finishing On A Wing And A Prayer and I'm using that as the excuse for not updating you on my Sven efforts properly. So yesterday was a great big 4,331 words. Taking my Sven total to 12,490 words. Pretty cool. But I'm not letting things slide because I've done so well, nooo.... I'm moving over to Flash Point with some really great scenes rolling through my head. Hope everyone is having as much luck as me with their writing.

Nurture your mind with great thoughts. - Benjamin Disraeli

Rachel C

OMG!

I know I said I was heading off to get some writing done but I had no idea how much I meant. I've updated the word count and as of now On A Wing And A Prayer is finished. Sure there's the last few pages and then the edit and polish, but IT'S FINISHED!!!
I'm so excited by it. It's a good feeling to know they're riding off into the sunset for their happily ever after. Goodbye and good luck. You're gonna need it. The hard part is just about to begin. I'll keep you posted of their journey.

Rachel C

Can I breathe now?

Whoa!
Where do I start with everything that's been going on here?
First I'll say guilty of doing no writing on the weekend. We had a couple of BBQ's with some Aussie's that live here in Singapore, one at lunch and one at dinner, on Saturday. My alcohol supply is now minus TWO bottles of champagne and that's all I'm going to say about that. As one would expect Sunday was a waste of a day. 100 words. sigh
I've been reading for the competition I'm judging plus I've done a review and edits on two others so that's kept me busy.
Then there was the shock arrival of two new members to our household. We've managed to find ourselves the new family of two 4 week old kittens that were dumped in the playground downstairs. Don't get me wrong, they're gorgeous and cute, and so much like having babies in the house. Feeding every three hours, crying at all hours, vet visits. I must say they're very impressive with their skills at toileting. Not one accident so far, both appear to be completely house trained. My girls have claimed them and their mothering skills have been brilliant, so other than when the kids are at school I'm just supervising.
Back to the writing. Not sure where I was last update but I've managed a bit and when I'm finished here I'll be getting back to it. I'm happy with my total for Sven so far and even more happy with the new story, Flash Point. I'd planned for it to be a short and around 10,000 words but judging be the first 2,245 it may prove a bit longer. On A Wing And A Prayer is still in the black moment which has given me a few notes of things that need changing when it comes time to edit. but I'm looking forward to it.
The new blog is great and I'd like to thank everyone for popping over there and for those who've commented I appreciate your support. I'll be blogging over there again later today, I want to get some writing done first.
I hope everyone else working with Sven has the Word God shinning on them.

Help others to achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours. - Les Brown.

Rachel C

Getting serious.

I've spent the last few days getting my wordpress blog up and running. I'm not leaving this one but I wanted a site where I could have a couple of pages to put up some excerpts and some more info on me and my writing. Now before you all rush over there and take a look let me say it's still in the setup stage. I have been brave though and put an excerpt on the A taste of what's coming page. Stop! Again, before you rush over there, if you're under 18 you can't go. Sorry but some of my writing would be considered inappropriate for you. so once you've all checked your driver licences to see if you're old enough the link is on the side bar but I'll put it here for easy access.
www.rachelcharlton.wordpress.com
Feel free to pop over there and have a look. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. I'd welcome any hints on making the site better.

Sven is going good. I'm up to 28,274 words for On a Wing and I've started the short story Flash Point, the excerpt on wordpress is from Flash Point. At this point my total for Sven is 7,355. I'm planning on doing some more after dinner tonight as Hubby is away in India and once the kids go to bed it's nice and quiet (except my music) for me to write.

People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of. - Beth Bingham

Rachel C

Sven update.

Okay, so I'm late blogging this. I got another 1,235 words done yesterday so my Sven total is 4,292. Not bad, could be better. Word count meter is updated as well and you know, I just can't help staring at it, sitting there telling me how close I am to finishing and getting to the edit/polish stage.
I'm extra busy, what with Sven, FAR reviews and the contest I'm judging and I'm feeling a little scattered this morning. I'm surfing the net instead of reading or writing and I need to go to the shop and I can't be bothered. The writing's going well so it's not that that has me all a flutter and the book I just read for the contest was great and not something I would normally pick up which is a bonus. So what could be my problem? I got the new camera I've been nagging about for years and I've been playing around with it and watching Sammi play with hers, the kids are all being good (touch wood) and the whether, though rainy is hot (nothing different there) and then it hit me. It's near the end. I'm about to say goodbye to two people I've slaved over and with for months. I'd forgotten what it felt like, the end. It's been so long since I actually finished the last ms. In fact last year I didn't actually finish any because of the move and then the edit/polish of Dark Heat (working title) and then I started On A Wing And A Prayer, so I've not finished anything in over a year. It's sad. But then it's uplifting too because they'll ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after. But before that I have to accept them leaving me behind and move onto the next two that need my help getting to that sunset. They've already made an appearance, in fact they've been around since last year but I kept pushing them away trying to edit/polish Dark Heat and writing On A Wing. In the last few days they've been getting louder and the problem is I wanted to work on a different pair but as most writers know, Ms Muse has a mind of her own. I really need to get back to Dark Heat but it might have to wait because when I choose to listen to this new pair they're yelling at me not talking, so it's going to be hard to ignore them. Oh well, I'll get Trey and Lana settled in their happily ever after and get stuck into the next one.

Forsake all inhibitions. Pursue thy dreams! - Walt Whitman

Rachel C

More new toys.

This is my new toy. The bigger one on the left. The other belongs to my budding photographer daughter Sammi. Hubby took all the kids to the IT Show today. Corki got her new laptop, TimTam got a new 20inch LCD TV and we got cameras. We've been looking for a while and Sammi has saved her money and investing in her future. We finally have a career path. It's funny but the whole family seems to lean towards the artistic side of life. I'm looking forward to getting to know my new toy, we got the bigger lens to take far away shots as well as close ups.




















I've been busy and haven't done much writing but I did get 500 words done while waiting for Robbie to have his guitar lesson today. I wrote by hand and added it to the computer when I got home so really it's 1,000 words but I'm planning to write tomorrow so I'm not changing the word count meter or worrying about an official update. I'll do that tomorrow night or Monday morning.

You're never too old to get a new toy.

Rachel C

Going great.

Thought I'd pop in a quick word to say I've just closed the file and I've managed to add another 1,254 words, taking my total for Sven to 3,057. Not bad for three sessions of writing and lots of distractions. I'm updating the word count meter while I'm here and depending on how things go I might even get some more done later tonight.
Oh, I have to say a quick thank you to Shiloh Walker for popping in to leave a comment on my blog. She's one of the Sven sponsors, who will now have their own little link section on the sidebar of my blog. Pop over to some of their sites and check out what great authors they all are.

Let the words flow.

Rachel C

Sven update.

Sven started last Saturday and I managed just under 1,000 words then but nothing since. I even checked in earlier today thinking I wouldn't get anything done again today. I've had parent teacher interviews, school presentations and dentist appointments all week so far, not to mention the wedding we went to on the weekend. I was planning for things to get moving tomorrow so after getting back from the dentist this afternoon I sat down to read what I'd written on Saturday. Well not only did I read it and then had to get out some more. Yep, things took off running and I managed to get out over 800 words. That takes my total so far for Sven to 1,803 words. Considering that was in only two sessions I'm pretty pleased with the outcome, plus we've just hit the black moment at which point the happily ever after won't be far behind. Then I'll be able to get stuck into the other story that's been playing in my head. Hopefully I'll get to edit/polish On A Wing And A Prayer before the end of Sven plus get this little story out. I'll keep you posted.
Maybe I got a buzz from winning Karen Erickson's new book Fortune's Deception. I'd left a comment on her blog about the new book, which was released today from Samhain Publishing, and my name got pulled out of the virtual hat. Yay! Now I just have to find the time to read it. I've got a list of 12 books for a competition I'm judging plus 6 FAR books to review and then there's Sven. Lot's of things happen at the moment. It's going to be a big month.

Life is short, make every moment count.

Rachel C