Catching Fireflies

Ideas are like fireflies.

When I was a child, growing up in the South, we called them lightning bugs. In the spring, with more yellow glowing flickers appearing toward dusk the beginning of summer, fireflies captured our interest and our imaginations.

First the mason jar, then the canning lid and sealing ring. Second, a nail and hammer. With gentle taps on the nail head--a few slips and a lightly smashed finger or two later--and tiny holes dot the metal of the lid.

Breathless, insides zinging, the after sundown coolness takes away the sticky heat of the day. The cool of the night is forgotten in the excitement of catching the lightning bugs. We run, with many squeals and dodges, to gently cup the fireflies in our hands.
 
Cupped in my hand, how do they light and not burn? The flickers light the flesh of my hand, and I press my eye to the open circle of my thumb. The lightning bugs crawl over my inner fingers and palms, bringing their magic to the night.

Held inside the jar for a brief time, the fireflies blink and glow, making a childhood memory as magical as any that I recall.

In the book Manuscript Makeover, Revision Techniques No Fiction Writer Can Afford to Ignore by Elizabeth Lyon suggests we catch fireflies of ideas by carrying around a notepad, because ideas are "difficult to catch if you don't act quickly."

Like fireflies on a spring or summer night, ideas appear bright and shiny, but also can provide distraction from the current project. Currently, I am revising the first book in a five-book series, with four more to go.

Yet, the blinking glow of a firefly of an idea tempts me to run barefoot in the grass, hands cupped, reaching outward...

Task at hand: Book #1 Series #1 Revision.

BUT, I've got this idea about my next series you see, then about another one in another genre, plus there's this concept for a trilogy of standalone books, with a fourth book that brings the characters together, growing like a fungus in my head. AND what about the OTHER genre I want to give a try, there's a three trilogy series of books that I'd love to dive into and write.

Task at hand: Revise current series.

So, I step back, make notes about future book ideas, series, characters, etc., then I focus on revision. My reward when I finish the series? You guessed it! I get to pick one of the future ideas and move on to the next project.

For now, I twist open the jar lid and let the fireflies go.

Read, Revise, Edit, Read Aloud, Repeat.

Wait, what was that yellow glow I saw out of the corner of my eye?

Distractions & Dust Bunnies Galore

Dust bunnies, though deceptively cute, breed at an alarming speed.
 
Having traveled for a few days on a road trip with Hubby, with short infrequent daily stints set aside for first drafting, I returned home a few days ago with an initial chapter GMCD chart and three drafted chapters. With travel clothes to wash and dust bunnies that had tripled in number waiting, I am reestablishing a writing schedule, on alert to every nook and cranny in which conniving dust puffs hide and plot a takeover.

Once they get a chance to propagate, even triple their numbers, I'm telling you, there's no stopping them, while getting back on schedule remains evasive and just out of reach.

Perhaps I should name the creatures because at the rate they are multiplying, to at least be able to call them by name might be my only solace in surviving in a post-apocalyptic world ruled by dust bunnies in control of every nook and crevice of the earth. Wouldn't watching recorded episodes of Serial Killer Earth be less painful than reestablishing a writing routine?

Should try to make friends with the bunnies, but how can one trust something so cute, yet so bent on creeping out of the darkness and into the light? Should I implement short stints of writing to get back into the groove because due to the trip, I lost momentum first drafting. Getting focus back has been a struggle. I sit in front of the computer monitor, and I swear I hear those dust monsters giggle a maniacal trilling laugh.

The defense plan I must implement to regain control of the house and first drafting must be strategic and well thought out. The schedule to eradicate the little boogers and regain focus must be realistic and unrelenting, with stints of writing alternated with determined cleaning methods, I prepare for an outright assault. I must strike without warning and with fortified determination to regain lost ground.

Should I never be seen again, know that I went into battle determined to defend and conquer as a warrior writer and that I fought valiantly to the bitter end.

Disconnected and Interconnected

In disconnecting from the mobile phone and allowing only a few minutes a day on the internet, I found myself . . . and I didn't even realize I was missing!

For the past few days, I have streamlined outside contact in order to connect with 1) the final book of the five-book Young Adult Paranormal Thriller series, 2) myself to physically and emotionally ground with the idea of wrapping up the series, and 3) my husband who has been quite patient and supportive during the last several months while I have been submerged in writing.

In a post-apocalyptic world, more than likely there will be no internet, no cell phones, no communication outside interaction other than one-on-one connections with other survivors. Since Book #5 features such a world, what would it be like to not have continued electronic access to others and the world?

First off, I found me. In staying so busy, I avoided a centering and a grounding within myself that I failed to realize was missing. The constant interaction outside of myself assisted me in not focusing on health issues or dealing with emotional stuff I have been avoiding since my parents deaths. Guess what? I learned to daydream again! Not only am I able to daydream, I can visualize potential scenes in my mind. How could I have lost such a wonderful ability along the way? I can also sit in silence with myself and meditate, just focusing on the flow of breath or studying an object or talisman for minutes at a time to increase my length of focus.

I have so enjoyed writing this series, that I am saddened by completing the series and am struggling with letting go. In quiet time, I realized that their story is not finished, and the main characters will return in a later series. So, I am not saying Goodbye, I am saying To Be Continued or Until We Meet Again. Had I not taken time away from electronics, I would not have realized the possibility of a second series, featuring the characters.

Thirdly, I had truly forgotten how funny and creative that husband of mine can be. Over the past few days we have gone on drives in rural areas, where had I chosen to check my phone, No Service would have been the status shown most often. For the past few months, while I have been writing, he has been enjoying hunting seasons, so this week, we both slowed down and got reacquainted with one another. He's a part of my life that encourages me to look forward to each and every day. We have laughed and held hands, and he even volunteered to brainstorm potential plot points of a future standalone book with me. There's more than one novel in that man, and I look forward to reading one of his books some day.

In our drives, we have encountered some wonderful friendly people with whom we've enjoyed talking with and getting to know. In meeting these pleasant folks, I've come to realize that not only do I crave connection with people, I long for positive building up, rather than tearing down, interaction. Share with me, yes; but drown my ears in whining about things that you are going to do nothing about, no. Please allow me to listen, be caring and supportive, without serving as an audience for a senseless soon-to-be-repeated drama dump. I am now aware of the amount of energy I have expended being concerned about others health situations or supposedly dire life circumstances, when they are not interested in making healthy choices for themselves. (Amazing what a little introspection and alone time can accomplish!) In the future, I will be able to direct more energy at home, with my writing, and toward my husband, by eliminating drama-filled encounters.

Book #5 is plotted, and I have begun the first draft. In a few days, um maybe a week from now, I look forward to returning calls and playing catch up with those positive caring people in my life.

Next time I choose to take a break from electronic connectedness, I will make sure to get the word out ahead of time. To not let folks know that I planned to disconnect and that all is well in the meantime was irresponsible. Or perhaps a quick note on FB and on the blog to indicate I am off the grid. I like that!

Off to discover more epiphanies during my time of disconnect and interconnectedness.