Tossing It Out

Monday, August 12, 2013

When My Words Won't Do

My after-road-trip slump has gotten a bit ridiculous. And a bit of a summer bug that I picked up somewhere along my journey hasn't helped much. I'm in a real doldrum of late and can't seem to get things together. I don't think I've slept so much ever before in my life as I have this past week.

I've decided to skip the controversy today and postpone my report on my reluctant trip to Ecuador until Wednesday....I hope.

I don't get sick much, but when I do it's a doozy.

Thank all of you for understanding.

Have any of you picked up whatever has been going around this summer? How have you dealt with it?

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

#IWSG-- Barely Back Writer

I'm not totally back yet, but I had to make an appearance for another monthly Insecure Writer's Support Group post hosted by Alex J Cavanaugh. Be sure to check out the list at Alex's site for more participants in this month's edition.

I'll be officially returning to my blog next Monday August 12th--I hope. The fact of the matter is that I'm exhausted. Even though I'm back home now, I feel like I've left my mind and my energy somewhere on the roads of the U.S.

It's been a crazy near month away from my blogging activity and I'm having a hard time getting back into the swing of things. What seems like many weeks ago--and I guess it was that--I was all filled with writing motivation and starting on a new project. Now I feel like Sleeping Beauty hit with an ugly stick and I'd rather sleep than do just about anything else. Well, except for maybe watching a movie on the tube now and then and even at that I don't feel all that inspired.

Will I get my mojo back? All these things I have to say--can I get the motivation to say them? I don't think I can call it "insecurity". It's just exhaustion maybe. Then again...

How's your summer been going? Has everything been going according to plan?

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Not an Optical Illusion! I'm Back for Today with Optical Osmosis

Yes, I'm still away from the blog, but I happened to have today scheduled as a stop on Jefferey Beesler's book tour for his new release Optical Osmosis. Be sure to visit Jeff's blog which is linked below and do check out his book!

Thanks for hosting me today, Arlee! I’m proud to come on over here and discuss my new book, Optical Osmosis with you.

Throughout the blog tour, I’ve discussed most of the components of the book, ranging from the relationship dynamics between siblings to a kooky, snarky retired psychic who comes close enough to stealing the show with her antics. But there is one key element I haven’t discussed, and so today’s the day for it.

I’m a firm believer that most people in this life have at least one person they can turn to in times of need, even if that person might be, depending on the individual’s belief system, God. Without delving too deep into a theological discussion at this time, it can be understandable why people turn to places like church, community centers, or things of this sort. They’re looking for help. There’s a song out there that has a particular lyric which sums up what I think of this. “We all need somebody to lean on.”

In Optical Osmosis, the person my main character Greg Gnops comes to lean on the most is his sister’s best friend, Dani Staras. Both of them are genuinely concerned for his sister, Ashley, who only introduces them to one another because she seems to think Greg could use a female companion. A genuine friendship between Greg and Dani develops despite of all the setbacks going on in the story. At one point, Greg has to make the choice to tell Dani about what has happened to his eyes. Will she understand his dilemma? You’ll have to read the book to find out!