Since many of you reading this are writers, I decided to write about plotting today. And if you’re merely a reader (and I say merely with much reverence and respect and love because boy, do us writer types love and need you!!), I’m hoping you might enjoy a little inside info on what makes us writer-types tick )

Whether you are well into a career, have a manuscript or two under our belt but haven’t cracked that ‘publication’ hurdle yet or are still in the ‘thinking about writing a book’ stage, we all harbor dreams of writing that perfect book. And to write that perfect book, we need to have the perfect plot. Or at least we have to have A plot – someone, probably an editor – will notice if we don’t )

How to plot is the million dollar issue. And for my money, plotting is the most single difficult issue. My writing friends often ask me – how do you plot? How do you get all those pieces working together in a seamless, cohesive story?

Now I love my writing friends. And I want to help them in any way I can. So I always answer them truthfully: I DON’T KNOW!!!

How can that be? But I really don’t know. It’s humiliating and embarrassing and ego busting. I mean really. I’ve been fortunate enough to have sold over 40 books, and currently have a publisher who is anxiously awaiting delivery of yet one more. Shouldn’t I know what I’m doing by now? Well, shouldn’t I? Shouldn’t I be able to sit down each morning to write, full of confidence as I merrily charge through plot point after plot point, guided by my carefully crafted blueprint that will lead me effortlessly to a stunning and brilliant conclusion? Shouldn’t I be able to write ten to twenty pages a day without batting an eye?

Well, I bat my eyes. A lot. Ticks develop. It ain’t pretty. And it’s demoralizing to look up from the PC that I sat down in front of at 8:00 am, realize it’s 2:30 pm and I’ve written all of two – count ‘em TWO – paragraphs.

So ALL days are not like that but more than I’d like to count – or admit to – are. And the really weird thing – given all of this turmoil, I still manage to get my books written, turn them in on time and make my publisher happy.

Is there a point to all of this? Well, actually, yeah. I’m a deeply disturbed writer – but that’s not the point today. The point is, we all struggle in this crazy business – with plot, with characterization, with carrying on. And because I know I’m not alone, I want to share some that I hope will help. NO, sorry, it’s not how I plot – that was just a ruse to get you reading. What I want to share are some affirmations that a dear friend shared with me and that have helped me through those two paragraph days so that I can get on to the ten to twenty page days and whip that elusive plot into shape.

I suspect, also, that many of these affirmations will be very helpful in everyday life as well.

Here goes:
AFFIRMATIONS FOR WRITERS
* Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better.
* I like and respect myself. I know I am a worthy, capable and valuable person.
* I guide my own destiny, and I’m accountable for the results of my decisions and actions.
* I reinforce my successes and correct for errors.
* I easily anticipate and experience events in my imagination before they actually happen.
* I am my own expert, and I am not affected by the negative attitudes and opinions of others.
* I easily balance the needs of my family with my own need to write.
* Creativity flows through me easily and effortlessly.
* I am a talented writer.
* I have a positive expectancy of big success, and I take temporary setbacks easily.
* I am a creative person and develop my plots with confidence and imagination.
* Images and words come easily when I sit down to write.
* I have unlimited potential; I have unlimited creativity.
* I happily accept the joys and responsibilities of being published and welcome success.
* I write daily with excitement, enthusiasm, and confidence.
* I am well-organized and have a vivid picture of my goals.
* I don’t wait for inspiration. Work inspires inspiration. If I succeed, I keep working. If I fail, I keep working. Whether I feel interested or bored, energized or tired, encouraged or discouraged, I keep working.
* I have the craftsmanship and creativity to successfully finish this book.
And yet a few more self-affirmations from Shad Helmstetter: (THE SELF-TALK SOLUTION)
* I have talents and skills and abilities. I even have talents and skills that I don’t know about yet. And I am discovering new talents inside myself all the time.
* I invest my time and energies where I choose. My time and energy are gifts which I guard and give by my choice – - but never by the demands, dictates, or the expectations of others.
* I am a winner. I am absolutely determined to achieve my aims. I am steadfast and persistent in the pursuit of my goals, and I will not give up.
* Each day my confidence in my self-expression grows stronger and even more positive. I express myself easily, without fear or uncertainty.
* Each day I consciously remove from my mind the imaginary bindings of self-doubt and the unnecessary limitations of uncertainty and fear.
* I am never afraid to try.
* I was not created to fail; I was created to succeed. Success is a part of who I am and a part of everything about me.
Okay people. These things only work if you use them. My advice – print them out, place them where you can access them at any time and READ THEM OUT LOUD until you start believing them.
Does anyone else have ‘props’ they use to help them through those tough writing days? Have you relied on affirmations before and have they been helpful? Am I the only one out here who doesn’t know what she’s doing???? Let’s hear it. Disturbed minds want to know.
Side note: If you’re not following Michael Yon’s account of the current surge in Afghanistan, you might want to tune in. He’s amazing – but even more than that, our troops are amazing as they put it all on the line!

While trying to decide on a topic for the blog, I scrolled through some of the previous posts to get a feel for what’s already been said so I wouldn’t repeat or rehash old news. What I discovered when reading posts written by former and current military personnel, is that while I’m very much a supporter of the amazing men and women of the US Military, and while I’ve read extensively about what they do, how they do it and why they do it, there is nothing in my background or experience that could ever truly make me understand the military way of life.

It’s a unique and highly honored club and it’s right that those of us on the outside looking in couldn’t possibly ‘get it’. Couldn’t possibly know what you’ve been through – both good and bad. Couldn’t know what you’ve learned, what you’ve cherished, what you’ve feared and what you’ve loved about your commitment to country above self.

I’m awed and I’m humbled by what you all give up. You leave your homes and everything you hold dear for long deployments into hostile and foreign environments. You leave knowing that when you come home, nothing will truly ever be the same again. You’ve lost months, sometimes years with your children, your spouses, you’re extended family and friends. You risk much. And you do it willingly.

And for just this short post, I want to say thank you. Not a generic, ‘I’m so grateful for the sacrifices you make for us,’ but a heartfelt, deeply sincere thank you for doing something I don’t think I could ever do, for giving up things I’m glad I’ve never had to give up, for being strong and stalwart and providing inspiration to a nation of Americans, who need something good to aspire to.

Hi everyone

I’m thrilled to be blogging here with Jessica today and so glad to welcome her home from Iraq. I’m also a woman on a mission.

First, I want to wish you all Merry Christmas and happy holidays and to thank you all for being such loyal readers and spreading the word about my books! So Merry Christmas!! And thanks! You all are the best and I hope this coming year brings all things wonderful and good your way!

My second reason is just as heartfelt and very important. I want to remind you all that we sleep in peace on the home front at night due to the brave and valiant efforts of our military who defend our freedom against terrorism every day.

That said, I want to call your attention to the plight of the 3 Navy SEALS who will soon be on trial for doing their job and defending our country during the capture of a known terrorist Ahmed Hashim Abed.

Abed is the accused brains behind the grisly ambush of four U.S. contractors in Fallujah in 2004. The contractors were protecting a convoy when they were attacked by Iraqi insurgents. Their bodies were burned inside their vehicle, dragged through the streets by a chanting mob, then hanged from a Euphrates River bridge. The cruel episode was photographed and posted online as a warning to the Big Bad West.

Abed has cried foul, accusing the SEALS of abuse during his capture. The trumped-up charges against them range from dereliction of duty, making a false official statement, hitting a detainee, and lying to investigators.

Subsequently, on December 7th, two of the SEALs were arraigned in military court: Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew McCabe, 24 and Petty Officer 1st class Julio Huertas, 28. The arraignment for Petty Officer 2nd class Jonathan Keefe, 25, has not yet been scheduled. All three SEALS were offered a simple reprimand if they admitted wrongdoing, but they rejected it, placing their faith and careers on exoneration at trial. If convicted, however, they face loss of rank, up to a year’s confinement and partial forfeiture of pay, and a bad conduct discharge.

The SEALS have received an outpouring of public support on the Internet, and a California congressman has led a campaign urging Defense Secretary Robert Gates to intervene. Dozens of protesters, including the mother of one of the slain contractors, stood outside the Norfolk Naval Station gate Monday morning, Dec 7, during their arraignment, holding signs of support.

One SEAL said he was gratified by support from the public and some of the members of congress who have been leading a campaign urging Defense Secretary Robert Gates to intervene.

“He’s been a hero — two tours of Iraq and one tour of Afghanistan — and now this is the thanks he gets,” Huertas’ civilian attorney, Monica Lombardi, told reporters after the arraignment.

I happen to agree. They are all heroes. I have written my Congressman and Senators about this deplorable situation. I’m urging you to do the same. I love my country. I’m proud to be an American but I take passionate issue with the way our government is handling of this situation.

Let’s all show these brave men that we support them. You can find your legislator’s addresses by simply googling their names then going to their web page and contacting them there.

Here’s my letter for reference. Feel free to use it as a guide and let your legislators know that you feel the same way!

Dear Senator Grassley:
My purpose for writing is to offer my support for the 3 Navy SEALS, Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew McCabe, Petty Officer 1st class Julio Huertas, and Petty Officer 2nd class Jonathan Keefe, who will soon be on trial for actions related to the capture of alleged terrorist, Ahmed Hashim Abed, the accused brains behind the grisly ambush of four U.S. contractors in Fallujah in 2004.
How sad it is that these heroes are being held accountable for actions they took in defense of our country and our freedom. If you have any influence at all over this travesty of a military trial, I urge you to intervene and request that all charges be dropped immediately.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my request and for all the work you do representing our interests.
Sincerely
Cindy Gerard

There you have it. I sincerely hope you will be able to find the time to speak out on behalf of these heroes!
Thanks!!! Have a wonderful year!

Best,
Cindy